Testing Our Boats!

Now that the students have their planning and designing all laid out for the gingerbread person boat challenge, it's time to build and test!

 

Originally the students tested their materials in a small bucket filled with water. The ability to test their design frequently and then go back and make adjustments immediately contributed to the amount of students whose designs were successful!

 The following week, the students tested their final designs in the library "stream," making observations on which materials were the ones students chose most often and which were the most successful! We had some really fantastically astute observations and comments!

 

 

Then, through the power of their own breath, the boats and passenger had to cross the stream! We had so many successes, and even students whose designs had flaws were able to find positives in their thinking and work.

 

 

 

Way to go, engineers! Next up, Jack and the Beanstalk!