Whatever Floats Your Boat!
Oct 31, 2017
Students from the three Nor’wester View Public School Learning Academies will be splashing down at Churchill Pool to test float cardboard boats on Wednesday, November 1. Twenty boats will be weight tested with the two most seaworthy designs moving on to the upcoming Skills Ontario Card Board Challenge. The 80 students worked in teams to put what they learned in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) to the water test.
“The students were able to combine many aspects of the curriculum including flow, aerodynamics, centre of gravity, fluids, problem solving, nets, 3D shapes, angles and measurement,” says Kristi Lees, Nor’wester View Public School Teacher.
The students had an open template to build and design their boats and some have even worked costumes into their final design and float strategy. As per Skills Ontario rules the students could only use two 4×8 pieces of cardboard and 2 rolls of duct tape. Their models had to be completed in two hours.
“Not only did the students work hard with their teammates, they also had a lot of fun building their boats,” says Scott Gordon, Nor’wester View Public School Teacher.
The Nor’wester View Public School Learning Academies – the Global Citizenship, Sports and Outdoor Recreation and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Academies provide Grade 7 and 8 students with the opportunity to learn in an experiential and rigorous environment while meeting the requirements of the Ontario Curriculum. The academies provide opportunities for students to participate in inquiry and/or project activities that encourage students to learn through active experience, reflect on the experience and apply their learning to various aspects of their lives.
