Class Learning - Juniors

BUOYANCY IN JUNIOR S

As part of our Inquiry unit, Junior S have been investigating the scientific concept of buoyancy and exploring the forces that cause objects to float or sink. To apply their learning in a practical way, students took part in an exciting boat design and construction challenge. 

Students were presented with a real-world problem: How can we design and build a boat that will float and carry tiny teddy bears without sinking? 

Students followed the design process by first planning and drawing their boat designs. They considered the shape, size and structure of their boats and thought carefully about how they could make their design stable enough to float. 

The next stage was to create and construct their boats using a range of available materials. This required students to work as a team, share resources, communicate their ideas and make decisions about how their designs could be brought to life.

Once their boats were constructed, students moved into the testing phase. They placed their boats in water and carefully observed what happened.

Through this hands-on learning experience, students developed their understanding of predicting, observing, questioning, problem-solving and communicating their ideas. 

It was fantastic to see students collaborate, persevere when their first ideas did not work, and use evidence from their testing to make thoughtful improvements. 

Well done, Junior S!