Don't be a drag. Learners work in groups to design boats that move slowly. The provided reason for the activity is that a fish caught on a fishing reel is pulling the boat, causing it to move too fast. The STEM activity teaches the class about the engineering design process.

Concepts

engineering design, boats, transportation, force, motion

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Additional Tags

science

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Instructional Ideas

• Have a contest to see which group designs the best boat
  

Classroom Considerations

• The activity is part of the SLED Design series
• Some knowledge of basic physics, such as force and drag, is necessary
  

Pros

• Provides options for formative and summative assessment
• Lesson plan includes diagrams and pictures that help with comprehension
  

Cons

• None

Common Core

SL.4.1.a SL.4.1.b SL.4.1.c L.4.6 4.MD.A.2 4.MD.A.3