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Designing Kinetic Watercraft
From blueprints to the finish line, students in Grades 9 and 10 designed, crafted and raced heat-powered “pop-pop” boats: a challenge that explored the intersection of engineering, materials science and design thinking.
The project began at inquiry stations where students researched traditional Indigenous watercraft, biomimicry (following natural processes) and modern boat designs to inform their vessel shapes. By completing a “materials passport," they analyzed the properties of foam, copper and aluminum, and explored how these different materials would impact performance.
Students then translated their research into technical drawings, alongside explanations of how specific materials supported their engineering choices. They applied precise craftsmanship to create smooth, aerodynamic hulls, strategically distributing engine weight to optimize their vessel’s stability and movement.
To prepare for the race, the class conducted trials, documented their observations and made adjustments. Throughout this iterative process, students anchored their work in evidence-backed, intentional design choices, culminating in an exciting final race that showcased what they had learned. By researching and experimenting to solve technical design challenges, students saw firsthand how STEM principles work to actually make a boat move.
