Make It Sail: an Educational STEM Project-Base Learning Experience

I have used this investigation for years at multiple grade levels and STEM camps. The concept is simple, but changing the build criteria and adjusting variables can be used at multiple grade levels. I have attached an investigation page, but I have not used it in the last few years of using this investigation. I introduce this investigation with the following narrative.

Humans have used wind power for thousands of years to sail, explore, and bring goods to market. The materials list has been limited to just a few items to make this investigation a little more interesting. Your task is to design a sailing vessel that can successfully carry a load the distance of the stream table as fast and safely as possible. Everyone will get the same materials and the wind source will stay constant. As you design, keep in mind all the known variables such as weight, sail size, and distance needed to travel in mind, but don’t forget about the forces involved in making this sailing vessel travel safely and quickly. Getting goods to market on time is important, but more importantly, they must arrive safely. You will provide the items for transfer and once you have that information, you can start designing. You may want to read the following before you start designing and building.

List of Investigation and design stages:

1. Research: What do we know about sailboats or sail transportation?
2. Brainstorm: Use your science journal or TinkerCAD to develop a design idea.
3. Build the prototype.
4. Test
5. Record observation and compare it to the rest of your class.

Possible Materials:

· Straws (3)

· Masking Tape

· Scissors

· Basic Hull

· Cay

· Paper

· Craft Sticks

· Some fan for a consistent source of wind and a water source such as a stream table, small kid's pool, or sealed rain gutters.

I attached a full student investigation page with a conclusion and writing prompt at the end. I build this investigation to introduce the engineering design process, testing a design, calculating area and averages, and using the data. To support the design's success or justify changes to the design based on the data collected.

Investigation Focus:

· Describe how forces, both contact and non-contact contribute to the overall design of the vessel and its speed.

· Use the total sail area, sail position, and weight of the whole sailing craft to develop a sailing craft that will travel the distance of the stream table.

· Design variables to decrease the time needed to execute the investigation and to keep the investigation at a simple design and engineering challenge.

Building the sailboat in the classroom is a quick build. Students tend to throw things together to get the boat in the water. To slow the process and to get students to focus on a better design, I have them calculate the area of the sail and develop a way to keep the boat sailing straight. I introduce using a keel or a rudder.

The build is simple, but the power in this investigation is the data collection. I have students draw the sailboat design out by adding the dimensions of the parts they use. The only thing I keep consistent is the foam tray. I source the foam trays from my local butcher shops. I explain that I use them for a school project, and they usually give me way more than I need.

Using modeling clay to attach the mask allows for quick attachment and reattachment. This allows students to adjust the sail size or add a second mast without destroying the foam hull by hot gluing the mast down.