Floating Boats
A toy inventor's boat keeps sinking when the last animal figurine is added, and students are recruited to figure out why. They explore why some objects float and others sink, discover how dense materials can be shaped to float, and construct real-life boat models to test how much weight each design can hold. The unit ends with a partner design challenge: build a toy boat that carries as much weight as possible without sinking.
What Students Learn
How the properties of materials, especially density, determine whether objects float or sink
How reshaping a material can change how it behaves in water
How waterproofing works and why material choice matters
How hull shape affects stability and weight capacity
Authentic practice with all 8 Science and Engineering Practices
What's Included
10 slide-based lessons with embedded graphics and media
Step-by-step teacher guide with facilitation notes
Student worksheet packet with pre/post assessment
All hands-on building materials (clay, foil, chipboard, water bins)
Maker skill video tutorials
Optional ELA extension: how-to book
NGSS Alignment
2-PS1-1
2-PS1-2
K-2-ETS1-1
K-2-ETS1-2
K-2-ETS1-3