This tiny boat has a job: stay on the water and carry things without sinking, like a little ferry in the harbour. What shape do you think will float best and hold the most without going under?

Today's words (one at a time):

Float
Stay on top of the water.

Load
The things the boat carries.

Improve
Change it so it works better.

Will a boat with high sides hold more counters than a flat one?

With your group, make a small boat from the foil on your table. Give it a flat bottom and sides so water stays out. When you think it will float, bring it to the water tray and check.

1. Say how many counters you think your boat will hold.
2. Add one counter at a time.
3. Stop when it sinks or water comes in. Remember that number.
4. Change the shape once.
5. Bonus if you have time: try the counters again and notice more, fewer, or the same.

On your Investigation Journal page, write or draw:

• how many counters you predicted
• how many the boat held the first time
• the one change you made to the shape
• bonus: if you tried again, more, fewer, or the same — or mark no second try