STEM Education
Using 'Cardboard Boat Book' boats for a STEM Education Project
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), for many people these words can cause loss of sleep. “You mean I have to learn something about these topics?!".
On the other hand..."Would you like to go boating today? It’s going to be sunny and warm and I love to spend time in a boat.” “Sure that sounds like fun!”.
Did you know that building a cardboard boat involves science, technology, engineering, and math, all wrapped up in a fun project called Cardboard Boating? This section in 'The Cardboard Boat Book' website exists to collaborate with and provide educators information that can be used to integrate building 'Cardboard Boat Book' boats into a STEM education program in schools, colleges, and universities.
Topics & Concepts that can be illustrated when building a Cardboard Boat include:
• Working with a budget
• Managing resources
• Leadership and project management skills
• Skills such as technical drawing and dimensioning
• Basic math, geometry, and trigonometry
• Develop teamwork skills
• Product manufacturing concepts
• Strength of Materials
• Buoyancy & Stability of floating objects
• More...
Working with educators across the United States we are developing guidelines based on the NGSS that you can use to integrate a cardboard boat building project within a S.T.E.M. program in your educational institution. Imagine teaching geometry while building the bow and stern of a cardboard boat? After you work with your students on how to construct the bow and stern, you then tell them that they just used geometry to accomplish a task for their enjoyment. This is one example of the types of concepts that can be taught and illustrated in a simple, fun, and practical way for anyone while building a real Kayak style boat that your students will be able to use.
If this sounds interesting to you take the first step and download our STEM Program Guidance document from the download section of this website. It is free of charge and might assist you in encouraging more students to get plugged into an exciting and lucrative career in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Get started today, you never know what spark you might ignite in a student of yours!
Click on the links below to learn of one educational institutions success building 'Cardboard Boat Book' boats.