Welcome back to the Fort! Today, we’re on a mission to create a raft for our friend Juniper. We’re all heading to the lake, but Juniper is too small to swim, and Squeaks can’t find the boat he was going to lend her. So, we decided to make a raft!
Juniper, Squeaks, and Sam each drew a design for the raft. These drawings are like what engineers do when they create a model called a prototype. A prototype helps us test our ideas to see if they work. Our raft needs to do three things: float, be the right size, and keep Juniper safe.
First, we tried Juniper’s raft made of aluminum foil. It floated and had a bowl shape, but it wasn’t stable in rough water. Next, we tested Squeaks’ raft made of craft sticks. It floated well but was a bit small and tricky to hold onto. Finally, we checked Sam’s raft made from cardboard and corks. It was roomy and floated at first, but the cardboard got soggy over time.
None of the rafts were perfect, but that’s okay! Engineers don’t give up; they learn from their tests and try again. We realized we could use craft sticks instead of cardboard to avoid sogginess. We also decided to make the raft wide and flat, like Sam’s design, and add sides for safety, like Juniper’s idea.
By combining all our ideas, we made a new raft design. We tested it, and it floated, was big enough for Juniper, and kept her safe even in waves. We worked together like engineers to solve the problem!
Just as we finished, Dr. Turtleman showed up with Squeaks’ boat! He had borrowed it for experiments. Even though we didn’t need the raft anymore, we had a great time thinking like engineers and learning from our designs.
Thanks for joining us on this adventure! If you want more fun with us, subscribe to SciShow Kids. See you next time at the Fort!
Build Your Own Mini Raft: Gather materials like aluminum foil, craft sticks, corks, and cardboard. Try to build a small raft that can float in a bowl of water. Experiment with different designs and see which one floats the best. Can you make it strong enough to hold a small toy? Remember to think like an engineer and test your ideas!
Observe and Draw: Go to a nearby pond, lake, or even a bathtub. Observe how different objects float or sink. Draw what you see and try to explain why some things float while others sink. What materials are they made of? How does their shape affect their ability to float?
Question Time: Discuss with a friend or family member: Why do you think engineers test their designs with prototypes? What would happen if they didn’t test their ideas first? How can you use this way of thinking to solve problems in your own life?
