Help with Project for School Children

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Help with Project for School Children

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15 November 2011 at 10:37 #32436
Christopher Kay
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@christopherkay52755
Hi Guys,

I found the forum through google whilst trying to search for some help regarding a project that my girlfriend is working on.

She is a Science teacher at a secondary school and in February next year, has been tasked with putting together a challenge day for all of the year 9 pupils to take part in.

The idea is that they will be split into groups of 5 (approx 150 kids) and be asked to design and create a very simple model boat.

The idea of the project is that it covers all of the following areas: science, technology, engineering & maths.

We’ve been going through it and came to the idea that she would ask them to make some model boats. She will provide all of the materials and in their groups, they will work together to create the most cost effective yet best possible performance boats that they will all test in the pond at the back of the school.

To kick things off, we visited a local hobby shop in Bolton and managed to purchase a very basic propulsion kit which included a motor, a prop shaft, tubing and a propeller for just under a fiver.

Since we have left, the guy in the shop has been less than helpful and cannot really seem to be bothered to help us anymore.

So, we are back to square one again. Could anybody suggest what would be the cheapest way to put together such a kit or know where there is something of this nature available to buy so that we can continue with our planning of this project?

It doesn’t need to be anything fancy, the kids will be given the choice of some basic materials such as balsa wood, plastic bottles and polystyrene at different costs together with the power side of things and then be asked to create their boats with emphasis being placed upon cost effectiveness and practicality, i.e. which boat is the fastest, which boat can carry the most mass etc.

If anybody could help to point us into the right direction, it would be greatly appreciated!!

Oh, and cost is the kicker with this really!

Thanks Guys!!
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15 November 2011 at 10:37 #2083
Christopher Kay
Participant
@christopherkay52755
School Challenge Day – Designing & Building boats
15 November 2011 at 11:10 #32437
Bob Abell 2
Participant
@bobabell2
Hello Chris

Take a look at this similar request…

http://www.modelboats.co.uk/forums/postings.asp?th=54941&p=2

Bob
15 November 2011 at 11:36 #32438
Christopher Kay
Participant
@christopherkay52755
Hi Bob,

I’ve taken a look at the thread that you suggested and that is quite helpful!

Thank you!

That is certainly one design that we didn’t consider and we should definitely use this as one of the options.

We don’t want like 15 different designs yet we need at least three or 4.

It would still be nice to find a simple propulsion kit (motor + propeller etc) or put one together as another option!

Thanks Bob!
15 November 2011 at 11:51 #32439
ashley needham
Participant
@ashleyneedham69188
try

http://www.hobby.uk.com

under boats and galleons. particularly “submarine power unit” or “outboard motor”.

pre-packaged food containers (chops, ready made meals etc, take-away containers) can make good boat hulls.

The mississisisipppi paddler could be made very easily like bobs sketch.

A solid wood “sub” with an eye at either end underneath and a rubber band/ rubber band aircraft prop works ok

Ashley
15 November 2011 at 12:01 #32440
Christopher Kay
Participant
@christopherkay52755
Hi Ashley,

Thanks for your input!

These two ‘power units’ are by far the closest i’ve come to seeing suitable!!

I think they will definitely do the trick.

The only thing that i suspect my other half will say is that she would probably want the kids to put the circuit together themselves but this is most likely the best solution!

Thanks Ashley!
15 November 2011 at 13:08 #32442
The Long Build
Participant
@thelongbuild
In conection with Ashleys post , I visited Warwick over the weekend and on one of the stands were simple boats made from fairey liquid bottles (Other makes are available !!) and other bits and bobs, I took a few pictures of these and will post them later this evening..

Larry R.
15 November 2011 at 14:43 #32443
Christopher Kay
Participant
@christopherkay52755
That sounds good too Larry!

Thanks for your help!

It’s nice to come on here and see so many people interested to help out others!

Thanks guys!
15 November 2011 at 19:10 #32447
The Long Build
Participant
@thelongbuild
As promised..

But First..

Depending on the skill level you want to take this to so I have included a few pictures, some from the Warwick show and my first project from back in the 80’s “Bobby” Funny enough a free plan at the time in 1977 from Model Boats magazine..

The Compleated Model of “Bobby” or as here “Whicky Woo” was not made by me but was an article on this site , but just shows what a finished Very Easy to build model can look like.

Also as a point of further development perhaps getting the book “Small Radio Control Boats” by Glynn Guest Isbn 1-85486-171-9 still available from Amazon and Ebay , not sure if Nexus still have them. Some silly prices there but also some reasonable ones..The Book Contains 9 easy build boats from card , Balso or ply , just depends what you want to use.
25 November 2011 at 20:48 #32551
Felix de Cat
Participant
@felixdecat
Hi,

I am a DT teacher in a secondary school and have done this type of thing before. The most fun and learning came from building solar powered boats to race across a 10 m tank. There are lots of opportunities for science and engineering. A great solution can be built using very basic parts and few tools but the learning and competition make it very worthwhile.

Chech out the schools marine challange onb google for mor info.

Regards

Phil
10 September 2021 at 15:27 #97821
Former Member
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@formermember31535
[This posting has been removed]
11 September 2021 at 11:21 #97835
Dave Cooper 6
Participant
@davecooper6
As the various projects will be tested outdoors (pond at the back of the school), how about including a class for "Sail Power" ?

This brings in (STEM) aerodynamics as well as hydrodynamics…..let the kids decide ! The air is rarely completely stationary outside and sails could be made and chosen to suit the prevailing conditions.

The sails themselves could be made from waterproof paper eg grease-proof /parchment kitchen paper at very low cost. Masts can be made from a simple wooden dowel.

Points /Marks could be awarded for stability, speed, reaching the opposite bank etc along with other forms of propulsion. Perhaps a 'K' factor could be used for 'Light Airs' to make it more even !

Good luck,

Dave
12 September 2021 at 15:31 #97845
The Long Build
Participant
@thelongbuild
Wow was it that long ago this post was started in 2011, would imagine most of the kids have now left school.
13 September 2021 at 09:29 #97854
Malcolm Frary
Participant
@malcolmfrary95515
Hopefully the original kids have benefitted from the experience. The next lot could also benefit.

Thinking about sail power, in the elder days I used the plain plastic bags from supermarkets as sail material. This was before they discovered how to print on them. A suitable alternative is white, handled, bin liners. Ordinary sellotape is excellent edge strengthening. Extra science point – anybody going this way learns a great deal about static electricity. Rigging line, no point looking for alternatives, a 300 metre bobbin of 0.48mm fishing braid can be got for £10. Adjuster can be readily made from buttons from dead shirts.
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