What boat shape is best?

Topics Reception/Year 1
This unit is part of Oceans and Seas Boats and Ships

Objectives

Maths

  • Recognise, identify and describe the properties of 2-D shapes, including the number of sides and line symmetry in a vertical line.

Science

  • Observe closely, using simple equipment.
  • Perform simple tests.
  • Use observations and ideas to suggest answers to questions.

Lesson Planning

Investigate different boat hull shapes and find out which is the most efficient for moving through water.

Teaching Outcomes
To identify and create regular and irregular 2D shapes to make the basis of a boat’s shape.
To explore how different shapes affect how a boat moves through water.

Children will:

  • Identify and label irregular and regular shapes, relating to a boat’s hull.
  • Experiment to find which boat shape is the most efficient.

Provided Resources

  • Boat ahapes
  • Tin-foil boats
  • Shape sheet 1
  • Shape sheet 2
  • A kayak

You Will Need

  • Tin foil
  • Trays of water
  • Small electric fans
  • Stopwatch