Fluids, Cardboard Boats, and Buoyancy

As part of their unit on fluids and buoyancy, Dr. Varney had challenged her students to use physics principles to design and build a boat — using only corrugated cardboard and duct tape — that could be paddled by one student across the pool and back. The boats were then tested in front of the community at a rousing regatta during the last week of school. 

Captain Ella S-C. ’22 of team GEKS (Ella, Georgia R. ’22, and Kat W. ’23) took an early lead creating a widening gap that Captain Beck Sparrow (Rebecca C. ’23) of team Black Pearl (Rebecca, Lucie J. ’23, Caroline M. ’22, Oli W. ’23, and Cate W. ’23) was ultimately unable to close, giving team GEKS the win on time. Not to be completely outdone, team Black Pearl swept the style and team spirit categories, and neither team needed to take advantage of the "spectacular sinking" consolation points!

Despite spending time checking and double-checking their calculations, students were nervous heading into the launch. In fact, some were surprised to find that the boat successfully held their weight. “I was admittedly a bit nervous, too, as this was my first time doing the project,” remarked Dr. Varney. “I had to trust the physics, and I told the students to do the same. And in the end, I was amazed at how well both boats held up. It was a fun learning experience for all of us!”