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In this ocean engineering activity, learners explore buoyancy and water displacement. Then, learners design models of deep sea divers that are neutrally buoyant.
- Under 5 minutes
- 45 to 60 minutes
- $1 - $5 per group of students
- Ages 8 - 14
- Activity, Lesson/Lesson Plan, Model
- English, Spanish
Quick Guide
Materials List (per group of students)
- items to adjust buoyancy (assorted metal washers, pennies, paper clips, etc.)
- items for the body of the diver (Styrofoam balls, plastic bendable drinking straws, craft sticks, etc.)
- items to hold the diver together (rubber bands, duct tape, or a hot glue gun)
- objects that sink or float like marbles, metal spoon, etc. (optional)
- sturdy clear container at least 6 in. x 6 in. that can hold water
- water
- scissors
- paper and pencil
Subjects
-
Earth and Space Science
-
Earth Structure
- Oceans and Water
-
Earth Structure
-
Engineering and Technology
-
Engineering
- Metallurgy and Materials Engineering
- Ocean Engineering
-
Engineering
-
Physical Sciences
-
Motion and Forces
- Gravity
-
States of Matter
- Solids
- Liquids
-
Structure and Properties of Matter
- Mass and Weight
- Volume and Density
-
Motion and Forces
-
The Nature of Science
-
The Scientific Process
- Conducting Investigations
-
The Scientific Process
-
The Nature of Technology
-
The Design Process
- Research and Development
- Invention and Innovation
- Problem Solving
- Troubleshooting and Maintenance
-
The Design Process
Informal Categories
- Model Building
- Nature and Environment
Audience
To use this activity, learners need to:
- see
- touch
Learning styles supported:
- Involves teamwork and communication skills
- Involves hands-on or lab activities
Culture, ethnicity, and gender
-
Girls
- Explicity developed for this group
- Acknowledges this group's contributions to STEM
- Highlights STEM opportunities for this group
- Identifies role models or mentors in STEM fields from this group
- Uses inclusive images of people from this group
Other
Foreign language versions of this resource:
Components that are part of this resource:
Includes alignment to state and/or national standards:
This resource is part of:
Access Rights:
- Free access
By:
Rights:
- All rights reserved, Twin Cities Public Television, Inc., 2013
Funding Sources:
- National Science Foundation, DRL-1114739
- L'Oreal USA For Girls in Science
- Northrop Grumman Foundation
- PPG Industries Foundation