Lesson Plan: Science and technology ages 6-8
Information
Classroom Activity
Learning objectives
- To be able to understand why ships float.
- To be able to comprehend how ships made of heavy materials, like the Jewel of Muscat, can float.
- To be able to appreciate how the cargo carrying capacity of a ship depends on its size and shape.
Success criteria
- Can demonstrate how a ship made of heavy material can float.
- Can use scientific knowledge to adapt a boat design to increase its potential to carry increased weight.
Thinking skills
- Applying: employ, demonstrate, choose, solve
- Creating: design, construct, develop, formulate
- Evaluating: appraise, judge, defend, support, select
Resources
- Large clear container of water e.g. a fish tank, or a plastic bowl.
- Light piece of wood.
- Coin.
- Empty drink can.
- Modelling clay or plasticine and a small water container for each group.
- Pieces of cargo for each group e.g. counters, pegs, nails, or marbles. Each piece of cargo must weigh the same.
- Students note books and pencils.
- Computer with access to the internet and the Jewel of Muscat website.
Starter activity
Demonstration to show the principles of buoyancy:
- Put the piece of wood in water. Ask students why it floats.
- Put a coin into water. Ask students why it sinks.
- Put an empty drink can into water. Ask students why it floats.
- Crush the can to expel the air. Ask the students to predict what will happen when the can is put back into water.
- Put the crushed can in water. Ask students to discuss what they see.
- Students write up observations, with diagrams, in their notebooks.
Main activities
- Divide into groups of two or three.
- Guide and monitor the students through the activity sheet.
- Activity 1 a ball of modelling clay (approx. 50 grams) for each group
Plenary
- Each group presents their modified boat and its heaviest cargo, to the class. Explain how and why the adaptions were made.
- Review the new design, giving reasons why it is a good design and how it can carry more cargo.