Lesson Plan
Center for Precollegiate Education and Training

Buoyancy Boats

9th - 12th
What did the sea say to the boat? Nothing, it just waved. An inquiry-based lesson starts with a simple concept on the Archimedes Principle and challenges pupils to make something out of clay that floats. Then, they design...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What Floats Your Boat?

4th - 6th
This open-ended boat building exercise is meant to be part of a three-lesson series on ships. Links to the other two lessons are included. This particular part is mostly a group lab activity in which they build a boat, find its load line...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Boat Hull Design

9th - 12th
Working in small groups young scholars develop three alternative boat designs. They discuss the rationale for the type of hull, propeller, location of ballast, and type of building material used in their design. They build their boat.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Float Your Boat

7th - 12th
Pupils investigate buoyancy, displacement and density.  In this flotation lesson plan students study the Archimedes' Principle, analyze data and draw conclusions. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Buoyant Force

10th - 12th
Young scholars investigate the scientific concept of why some objects float when put in a liquid solution. They apply the laws of motion and force while conducting classroom activities. Students also take notes and answer target...