AP Physics 1 classes have been working on a final project of the year where they have been constructing boats using only cardboard and duct tape, and will end the year by racing their boats in the pool here at Campo.
“I think it’s just a fun engineering, sort of applied physics project that [the students] deserve because they’ve been studying for the AP all year,” AP Physics 1 teacher Kristen Graff-Baker stated. “We’re going to call this ‘the First Annual Boat Race.’” Students will race their boats in a competition during 3rd period on Wednesday, May 20 in the pool to collect data related to mechanics, fluids, and more. “The first place winners of each class will get a medal,” Graff-Baker remarked.
Physics students will have to construct their boats following numerous specific guidelines. “[The students] will only have three duct tape rolls permitted to them, their boats may not be over 4 inches wide, so no rafts are allowed,” claimed Graff-Baker. She also acknowledged how well constructed the boats are starting to look: “So far, looking at the boats, they’re pretty impressive–they’re doing a good job, even under these specifications.” She notes how “It’s the end of the year, [the race is] gonna be really fun and probably very funny. Some may not make it off the wall, some may do a really great job going down and not know how to turn [back]. Some might have the whole thing set down and back. I’m so excited.”
AP Physics teacher Ryan Berns remarks, “This has got to be the most chaotic project I’ve ever run so far in my career as a teacher. There’s cardboard all over my room, but students seem to be having a good time doing it,” he noted. “I’m hoping that when the boats hit the water my students will race like their lives depend on it.”
When asked what encouraged her to hold the race, Graff-Baker answered, “I like doing [projects] that makes people think differently and apply stuff, and that maybe somebody who isn’t as good with one type of project, well, this is the day right?” Baker hopes this project will be an interesting learning experience for the students. “There’s a physical, kinesthetic portion of [the project]. I just always wanted to do it, and then I came to Campo, and we have a pool [here] so we’re doing it.”
Graff-Baker hopes that the event will gain traction on campus and become a bigger project that more students can participate in. “I’ve talked to Ms. Tom about making [the competition] a STEM thing, so that different APs [can compete], or maybe [we could] turn it into a bigger, schoolwide [event].”
