Designing and making a boat
| Grade | Work Samples |
|---|---|
| End of Stage 1 (end of Year 2) | |
| Grade B | Jamie Ashley |
- New Work Samples
- Chris
Foundation Statement strands
The following strands are covered in this activity:
Investigating Scientifically, Designing and Making, The Made Environment
Description of activity
Students design and make a simple boat and conduct tests to show that it will float on water.
- Students investigate boat designs, considering the shape and appearance of the boat, materials for building the boat and the need for the boat to stay upright.
- They make a drawing of the design they have selected for the boat.
- Students select the tools to cut, join and shape the materials that best suit their boat design.
- They use their drawing to make the boat.
- Students conduct tests to determine how well the boat floats.
- They review its design and make changes, if necessary, to make the boat float.
Suggested materials
Paper, pencils, readily accessible materials eg balsa wood, paddle pop sticks, plastic containers, polystyrene foam, straws, paper, cloth
Prior learning
This task in designing and making a boat is a small part of a Science and Technology unit of work that is integrated with learning in other KLAs. Students are undertaking a unit of work to investigate how people’s everyday needs can be met by making, shaping and joining materials. The focus of the unit is to provide students with opportunities to develop their understanding about the made environment through first-hand experiences in investigating, designing, making and using technology. Students have had the opportunity to reflect on the learning processes, results of investigations, products of designing and making activities and their use of technology. They have conducted an investigation to find if materials sink or float in water and have explored ways of joining and shaping materials to create structures that will float.
Outcomes
Products and Services (PS S1.5)
Grows, makes or processes some products using a range of techniques and materials.
Investigating (INV S1.7)
Conducts guided investigations by observing, questioning, predicting, collecting and recording data, and suggesting possible explanations.
Designing and Making (DM S1.8)
Develops, implements own design ideas in response to an investigation of needs and wants.
Using Technology (UTS 1.9)
Selects and uses a range of equipment, computer-based technology, materials and other resources to undertake an investigation or design a task.
Criteria for assessing learning
Students will be assessed on their ability to:
- Select appropriate materials for a boat
- Use a drawing to show the design features of a boat
- Use appropriate tools, materials and joining techniques to make a boat
- Conduct tests to see if the boat can float
- Suggest improvements to the design of the boat