STEM Construction Blocks Design Activity

Title: Lego Boats

Grade Level: 2nd

STEM Content Standards:

Science

 2-PS1-2 Analyze data obtained from testing different materials to determine which
materials have the properties that are best suited for an intended purpose.
 2-PS1-3 Make observations to construct an evidence-based account of how an object
made of a small set of pieces can be disassembled and made into a new object.
Standards for Technological Literacy

 Standard 3: Students will develop an understanding of the relationships among

technologies and the connections between technology and other fields of study.
 Standard 11: Students will develop abilities to apply the design process.
o A. Brainstorm people's needs and wants and pick some problems that can be
solved through the design process.
o B. Build or construct an object using the design process.
o C. Investigate how things are made and how they can be
improved.
Big Ideas:

 Archimedes' principle states that the upward buoyant force that is exerted on an object
immersed in a fluid, whether fully or partially submerged, is equal to the weight of the
fluid that the body displaces.
 Buoyancy is the upward force that keeps an object afloat
 An object floats when its buoyancy is greater than its weight.
 Weight distribution has to do with the way weight is distributed throughout an object.
 Weight distribution is important to ensure the boat does not flip
 Water molecules stick close together and form surface tension on the water’s surface.
This surface tension allows the boat to float on top of the water
Essential Question:
How can you build a boat out of Legos that will be able to float and support the weight of three
pennies?
Scenario:
Last summer, your family boat broke down. Going out on the boat is your favorite activity and
the summer just would not be the same without it! For this reason, you want to build a new boat
for this upcoming summer. But you don’t want to just go out on the lake by yourself. You want
to bring at least two friends with you to join in on the fun. Work with your engineering design
team to build a scale model Legos boat that can hold the weight of at least three pennies, which
represent you and your two friends. Now once the weather gets warm, you be able to take a boat
out on your lake and enjoy the sun.
Challenge:

 Design and build a Lego boat that will float in water and support the weight of at least
three pennies
 Design the boat to support the weight of at least three pennies. Further testing will find
the winning boat to be the boat that can support the most pennies
 Make sure to design the boat with buoyancy, surface tension, and weight distribution in
mind
 The final boat must meet the limitations of the design challenge below

Limitations:

 The boat must be built within 30 minutes.

 The boat must be able to float by simply being placed in the water.
 The boat must be designed using only the materials provided below.
 The boat must be presented to other teams once completed.
 The boat must be able to float while holding the minimum weight.

Materials:

 Legos
Teachers Guide/Notes:

 Example Solutions

Solution 1 Solution 2

 Connection to standards
 o 2-PS1-2:
 Obtain observation of the materials (Legos) like buoyancy and weight to
determine how much weight the boats can hold without sinking
o 2-PS1-3:
 Legos can be assembled and disassembled and made into new objects
o Standard 3:
 Students will be able to see the connections to science and technology that
real life object, such as a boat, has
o Standard 11:
 Students will apply the design process to build their boat
 Suggestions
o This activity is to help support creative block play as students use Legos to build a
boat and work towards an objective. Additionally, it reinforces concepts like
buoyancy and physical characteristics of materials.
o Student will build a boat only out of Legos that will be able to hold at least 3
pennies. These pennies serve to represent them and two friends which will help
make it seem more personal.
o Further testing can include adding as many pennies until the boat sinks or tips
over. The winning boat will be the one that can hold the most pennies.
o Choosing Legos as a construction block leads to a lot of variety depending on
what Legos you have. The example solutions were created using a box of classic
Legos, so they were pretty open ended. However, a teacher could have various
extension packs that would lead to different solutions. Additionally, they could
buy Legos that resemble more like ship shapes. This could lead to more realistic
or complex solutions.
 Video content:
o Why Do Ships Float?: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvWrkxzCiaY
Student Activity Guide:
 What are some different kinds of boats?
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 What might be important to remember when designing a boat?
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 How might you design and build your boat?
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 Sketch your boat.

 Test your boat. Was it successful? How so or why not?

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 What was the maximum number of pennies your boat could support?
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