A Cents of Floating

Objective: Utilize critical thinking skills to construct a device that will float over a surface area and will support the most
amount of weight while remaining buoyant (afloat).
Potential Hazards:

None

Materials Needed:
10 drinking straws
1 pair of scissors
(2) 30 centimeter strips of masking tape
1 ruler
(For prototypes 1 and 2 and TBD for prototype 3) 25 pennies
1 plastic tub - fill with water about 14 cm
Background knowledge: Before beginning, define the following in your comprehension check log:
PROTOTYPE
HYPOTHESIS
BUOYANT/BUOYANCY
SURFACE AREA
Procedures:

DENSITY

Read all Procedures before beginning.

Part A - Propose a prototype:

Propose a prototype that you would like to construct. Be able to explain why this prototype will be successful. Proposal should
consist of drawings (diagrams) and descriptions.

PROTOTYPE 1 (Drawing and labeling) - YOU MAY DRAW THIS ON PAPER, TAKE A PICTURE, AND
UPLOAD/ATTACH

Use this checklist as a guide:

_____ Drawings include labels for everything that is drawn.
_____Each label has a brief description offering explanation of what is viewed and the items purpose.
_____ Quantities of materials are identified.

Part B - Construct Your Prototype:

Construct your prototype based on your drawing and description listed above. Keep in mind all the steps you take as you will
write the materials list and procedures afterwards, once the prototype has been built. As you build the prototype, feel free to
make changes from your initial design idea.

Part D Making predictions about the success of your design.

Predict how your prototype will perform (How many pennies will it hold) and why (What design features have you included in your
prototype that will lead to success?.

What concerns do you have about the prototype and how it will perform?
Im concerned that the protoye will weight too much and the pennies will fall through.

Part E - Test Your Prototypes and Record Data:

Complete your test by adding one penny on the prototype until the design sinks.
Prototype Design

Number of Pennies
1ST TRY
9

Number of Pennies 2ND

TRY

Number of Pennies 3RD

TRY

Part F LETS TRY THAT AGAIN!!!!

Analysis, Redesign, and Construction of Final Product.

What are you going to do differently, now that you have seen the results of your prototype? Some factors to consider:
placement of pennies on the boat, open ended straws, amount of tape, placement of tape, layout of straws, etc.

Part G - Construct Your Final Prodcut:

Construct your final product based on the analysis of your prototype. Keep in mind all the steps you take as you will write the
materials list and procedures afterwards, once the final product has been built. As you build the final product, feel free to
make changes from your initial design idea.

Completed FINAL PRODUCT

WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE? DRAW OR UPLOAD A PIC OF IT!

Use this checklist as a guide:

_____ Drawings include labels for everything that is drawn.
_____Each label has a brief description offering explanation of what is viewed and the items purpose.
_____ Quantities of materials are identified.

Part I Making predictions about the success of your final product.

Predict (Hypothesis) how your final product will perform (How many pennies will it hold) and why (What design features have
you included in your final that will lead to success?.

What concerns do you have about the final product and how it will perform?

Part J - Test Your Final Product and Record Data:

Complete your test by adding one penny on the final product until the design sinks.

Prototype Design

Number of Pennies
1ST TRY
15

Number of Pennies 2ND

TRY
28

Number of Pennies 3RD

TRY
23

Part K: Final Analysis

Which design (prototype or final product) was the best and why?

Part L SHOW AND TELL - Once we are all finished, we

will have a show and tell at a station together