Lesson Plan 14

Catamaran and Trimaran

Grade Level/Subject: LD Science/Intermediate

Overview: For many students science has no real meaning if the material is covered by the read and discuss method. A hands-on approach is a great way to teach a concept.

Topic: Sailboat Design

Objective: Student will understand the construction of the sailboat and how the materials used to build them combine strength with minimum weight and low maintainence provides for efficient sailing. Student will also understand basic sailboat terminology and its function.

Materials: Fabric softener bottle, 2 pieces of wood the same length as the fabric softener bottle, several rubberbands, and plastic paddle made from a milk bottle.

Activities/Procedures:

1. Cut the plastic fabric softener bottle down the middle.

2. Connect the two "hulls"(halves) with the two pieces of wood with the rubberbands.

3. Attach the plastic paddle to the base end of the hulls with a rubberband.

4. Wind up the rubberband paddle to make it move.

Extended Activities:

1. Students can race their boats individually and measure the distance. After all boats have raced, they can find the average distance. They also can find the mean, median, and mode.

2. Students can construct a trimaran by following the same procedures as above but use 3 hulls.

Lesson plan by Lynette Rozar Charleston County Discipline School.

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