Paul makes a good point about materials in the pool. I forgot to say that in addition to the large cardboard we give them a 10X12 sheet of 4 mil plastic. This is to keep the cardboard dry - but bad designs happen and people go in the water.
Our pool person really likes this event. He stations a couple of his lifeguards next to the pool with long handled nets to catch the errant piece of duct tape. That also gives us protection if a student gets in trouble in the pool. One really needs a pool manager who is totally on board with this idea and will go the extra mile to make the event a success.
Bob at PC
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From: phys-l-bounces@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu [phys-l-bounces@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu] On Behalf Of Paul Lulai [plulai@stanthony.k12.mn.us]
Sent: Sunday, April 10, 2011 11:42 PM
To: Forum for Physics Educators
Subject: Re: [Phys-l] Another from PTSOS
I do this with a few differences.
First, each lab group must put in 1 group member in the boat.
All boaters must wear both a swimsuit and a dark colored t-shirt.
The boat can not be made of a standard floatation device.
The boat must be designed to have an appropriate center of gravity.
The boat must be designed to hold 1.5 x the weight of the boater. The calculations must be shown.
Absolutely everything they put in the pool they must take out of the pool. Cardboard is not allowed.
Our pool maintenance guy hates this. He claims the adhesives and other materials apparently cause some trouble with the chemical balance.
I need to find appropriate materials, so I can continue doing this. Kids love it. They apply some buoyancy calculations and need to think about center of gravity and other things.
It is a source of enrollment growth too.
Paul Lulai (where i regret that B.C. will get this note a second time due to my inadequecies in mobile phone abilities).
Physics Teacher
St Anthony Village S.H.
3303 33rd Ave NE
St Anthony Village, MN 55418
From: phys-l-bounces@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu on behalf of Bernard Cleyet
Sent: Sun 4/10/2011 3:42 PM
To: Forum for Physics Educators
Subject: [Phys-l] Another from PTSOS
"I'm thinking of having my AP students make and race cardboard boats after the AP exam in May. I know the basic idea is to make boats using only cardboard and duct tape, but Ive never tried it before. I'm wondering if anyone has experience or instructions for such an activity?
Here are my thoughts. Please feel free to comment.
1) Give each student a set amount of cardboard and duct tape. I have no idea how much to give them.
2) Let them decide how many people they want in each team. So bigger teams get more materials, but everyone on the team must get in the boat.
3) We will race across our high school pool. I'm thinking they can only use their hands or pads made from their cardboard and duct tape.
4) Give a prize for first to finish. Give prizes to all boats that make it across without sinking."
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I'll comment this time: (Much thinks for the comments on the previous one. I'm thinking about how to post the bad news.)
I think this is worse than the bridge building exercises. At least with them one consciously thinks about trusses, rigidity, etc., but it is mainly engineering. If one were assigned to make strain gauges, their amplifies, and load cells, I'd approve.