Your Mission

How can we build the optimal boat?

Quest 1: Distinguish between materials that

sink/float in water.

Quest 2: Change floating/nonfloating objects to make them

sink/float.

Quest 3: Assemble/modify
materials/watercrafts to float, carry a
load, and be stable in water.

Quest 4: Modify a
watercraft to increase its
stability in water.

Quest 5: Evaluate the appropriateness of

various materials to the construction of a
watercraft.

Quest 6: Develop/adapt methods of

design to construct a watercraft that
can be propelled through water.

First Nations Connection

Birch Trees

Birch Bark Canoe

BOSS
LEVEL

The Optimal Boat

1) Plan your boat Complete Building the Best
Boat planning sheet.
2) Get a teacher to approve your plan.
3) Build your boat.
4) Draw your completed boat on Making a
Better Boat
5) Test your boat for stability and carrying a
load.
6) Make any changes to your boat to stay afloat
complete Making a Better Boat.
7) Complete a reflection on the boat-building
process.

For Marks
4

Excellent
Meeting
Approachin
Not
Achievemen Grade Level
g Grade
Meeting
t of Grade Expectation
Level
Grade
Level
s
Expectation
Level
Expectation
s
Expectati
s
-ons

Part 1 - Plan
4

The student The student The student

completes a completes a
does not
plan that
plan that
complete
considers
does not
the plan
materials,
adequately
and does
load, and
consider
not consider
stability.
materials,
materials,
load, or
load, or
stability.
stability.

4
?

Part 2 - Boat
3

The student
completes a
boat that
follows the
design plan.
The boat
floats, can
carry a
load, and is
stable in the
water.

The student
completes a
boat that
somewhat
follows the
design plan.
The boat
somewhat
floats, can
carry a
load, and is
stable in the
water.

The student
does not
complete a
boat that
follows the
design plan.
The boat
does not
float, carry
a load, or
remain
stable in the
water.

Excellent
Achievement
How to get a 4
Part 2
1) The student exceeds the required expectations by
demonstrating immense creativity.
2) The students final boat design can carry a very
heavy load without tipping over even with
movement of the water.
3) The student can clearly explain the strategies
used to make such a great boat.

Once you are

done

This means

We can leave
the island!!!

The Optimal Boat

1) Plan your boat Complete Building the Best
Boat planning sheet.
2) Get a teacher to approve your plan.
3) Build your boat.
4) Draw your completed boat on Making a
Better Boat
5) Test your boat for stability and carrying a
load.
6) Make any changes to your boat to stay afloat
complete Making a Better Boat.
7) Complete a reflection on the boat-building
process.