Return to index
It all begins with large sheets of wood and an imagination.
After each team sees what they have for cardboard stock they can then asses their design options and begin cutting.
The boats actually begin to take shape very early in the process. Success is dictated more by staying "on task" than most anything else.
Working in teams with limited tools, the kids have to learn how to share responsibility.
Some amount of goofing off is inevitable!
This team has the basic idea down, but they are very unfamiliar with the materials.
Taking shape!
It starts to look like a boat, but those sides need to be a lot higher.
These boys were going more for adventure and it cost them construction time.
Having fun is the main goal!
Making the gym look like a ship-yard only took about 15 minutes!
"All I need is a tall ship, and a star to steer her by"
After a couple of sessions of cutting and gluing, the boats are near ready for paint.
We don't have much in the way of painting options as we use whatever "oops" paint we can get our hands on.
It is important to tape up seams and apply a good thick coat of paint to the bottom and sides. Time permitting, it is also good to get a coat or 2 on the inside of the boat.
Functional and rather cool with that front end. Lots of creativity here.
Too much reliance on tape this team is falling behind the others in construction. They need to step up the pace!
More work to be done and we're running out of time!
This team was actually working on building a SECOND boat (life raft) rather than concentrating on their main project. They needed to scuttle the life raft idea and get back to work!
The ship yard just outside the gym
Another view.
Boats are as done as we have time for. They've been drying for a week and are now ready to go to the lake! I have half of them here. The other half are in the bus.
Setting them out on the shore, awaiting the arrival of the kids and their families and friends.
Looking good!
If nothing else, it's a good excuse to get wet!
Oh, and they DID get wet, too!
The next two teams aren't as confident after seeing the first 2 boats go down almost instantly.
I tried to explain to them the importance of double and triple layer cardboard and strong glue joints... So far we've had 4 of 6 boats go down very quickly... ...and I am supposed to have TAUGHT these kids how to do this! LOL
Ok, down to the last 2 boats. Many of the kids from these 2 teams have taken this class before and have a better understanding of the stresses involved. Let's see how THEY do...
Ta Da!
Look'it'em go! I feel vindicated (a bit). We have a real race on our hands now!
The boats are sturdy, well built and stable in the water. Great job!
A small collision puts both boats in jeopardy, but the brown one is triumphant in the end.
Back on shore, it is nothing but smiles and laughter. It was a good session and I think everyone enjoyed themselves. Now I am curious as to how many of these kids will return in September for the REAL library boat races!
Return to index