12:00 PM Saturday, September 15th Winston Science Light Fair Park Lagoon [Grade Groups do Apply] ["Contestant is defined as a team of four students] (Back to Competitions) (Printable Version)

The purpose of this competition is to give student teams an opportunity to build a life-size cardboard boat and evaluate its seaworthiness.

(1)Teams must be composed of four people.

(2)Participants need to arrive at the competition with a completed life-size cardboard boat, two paddles, and two life preservers.

(3)Students can use only the following:
        (a)Cardboard no thicker than 1/4th inch
        (b) Duct Tape
        (c) Hot glue
        (d) Rope (any size)

(4)Cardboard can be no thicker than ¼ inch in thickness, although individual pieces of cardboard can be laminated together with glue.

(5)There is no limit to the quantity of the supplies used, however, the team must be able to conveniently move the cardboard boat. The boat can be disassembled and reassembled when moved.

(6)No paint, sealer, or preservative can be used in the construction of the cardboard boat.

(7)Any type of paddle will be allowed.

Procedure

(1)The student team must arrive at the Lake in Fair Park no later than 11:30 AM, Saturday, September 15th.

(2)Students will be required to explain their method of construction to the judges. They must also be ready to fully explain why their cardboard boat should float! We are looking for a detailed scientific explanation of the principles of buoyancy and floatation.

Reference Web Site http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/lasalle/buoybasics.html

(3)Boats not “properly constructed” will be disqualified by the judges based on safety issues. “Properly constructed” means the boat appears sturdy, balanced, and seaworthy. The judges’ decision is final.

(4)A teams passing the Explanation Test, and having a “properly constructed” boat will qualify to race their cardboard boat.

Race Evaluation

(1)After passing the Explanation Test and the “Properly Constructed” Test, student teams will place their cardboard boats in the water and demonstrate that their boat will support two people. Only student team members can move the boat into and out of the water.

(2)Boats must contain two team members. Each team member riding in the boat must wear a life preserver. Life preservers must be approved by the judges prior to the competition.

(3)With an appropriate start, teams will paddle their boats through the race course. This course will require teams to paddle in a straight line, reverse direction, and make appropriate turns.

(4)The boat that negotiates the race course in the shortest amount of time will be declared the winner.

(5)Teams will use the rope attached to the boat to remove the boat from the water. No team will be evaluated until their boat (or pieces thereof) is removed from the water.

(6)Trophies will be awarded at the end of the competition.

(7)At the discretion of the judges, additional awards may be presented in the following categories: