In this activity children will investigate the properties of materials to build a raft to cross the river or to carry their equipment.
Description
Children in Colombia in South America are facing a dangerous journey across a raging river to get to school and then back home again. The bridge collapsed 12 years ago so the kids have to wade or swim with their school stuff above their heads as the water rushes round them. There is a ferry across the River Teutan, but most pupils can't afford to pay for it.
Children will investigate the properties of materials to build a raft to cross the river or to carry their equipment. They will measure how far different rafts will travel and look at different ways of moving them.
Learning Objective:
- To decide which materials float and sink and would make a good raft.
Children will learn:
- Different ways of moving a raft across water and which is the most effective by measuring distance travelled
- To consider different methods of travelling to school
These resources were initially developed in partnership with the Centre for Science Education, Sheffield Hallam University.