Build a boat using natural materials! The Ice boat engineering challenge for kids will get children thinking outside the box while enjoying the outdoors. This fun STEM activity will have kids using critical thinking skills while they create boats made entirely of natural materials.
Supplies
- Old plastic containers or Tupperware (at least one per team or participant)
- Freezer
- Materials found in nature (Leaves, sticks, grass, etc)Body of water or large tube of water
- Binoculars (optional)
The Challenge
The objective of this activity is to create an ice boat that keeps its sail up the longest. Participants will engineer a boat using plastic containers of water and materials found in nature. After kids have developed a plan for their boat, gathered materials and put their boats together they will freeze the boats. The next day participants will float their boats!
How Run an Ice Boat Engineering Challenge
Show the engineers the plastic containers they have to work with. If you have different size containers you can add an element of strategy to the activity. Each team or player will select one container for the ice boat STEM challenge. This container will be the base of their boat.
Have the participants find a stick that will serve as the sail post. The stick should be tall enough that it sticks out of the container but not so tall that it will tip over the ice boat once frozen. Make note that it also has to fit in the freezer.
The STEM engineers need to find a unique leaf to identify their boat, this will act as their sail. Once they have their leaf have them attach the leaf to the sail post. Secure the stick in the center of the container. You can do this by wrapping the ends of a rubber band around the stick and then around the base of the container.
Next, the kids will search outdoors for other material. Ask them to think about how they can make their boat stronger using nature materials such as leaves, sticks, or grass. Some participants may choose to add materials to the water and some may develop a plan to add extra materials after the ice has frozen.
Have the engineers fill their container with water. Once each team has a plan of action, has gathered materials, and is ready to freeze put the materials in the freezer overnightThe next day pull the boats from the freezer, remove the rubber bands and allow the boats to thaw slightly so it can easily be removed from the containers. Allow kids 10 minutes to make additional changes to the boats as needed. Kids can add a stick platform, or a leaf base for example, but remind them that all the materials need to be natural and from the earth.
Float Your Ice Boats
Go to your body of water and have the kids “Launch” their boats.Remember that the objective of this STEM activity is to create a sturdy boat that will hold up its sail the longest.
Watch as some of the boats will flip over immediately and some will hold strong. If you are using a natural body of water you may want to bring binoculars to keep an eye on the boats. The last boat standing is the winner!
