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Builder's Lab / Week 08 / Thursday
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Week 08 · Float It

Thursday

Why did it tip?
// A foil boat that carries the most coins
⏱ about 20 min

Thursday: Why Did It Tip?

At coin eight, Rocket's tall boat leans and tips. Glug!

Coins slide to the bottom of the tub.

Rocket laughs and scoops them out. "We can improve it!"

Raven looks at the boat. "What do you notice? It is tall but narrow."

Nova hums. "Would you like a hint? Remember the flat dish."

VersionBoat shapeCoins carried
Rocket version 1Tall and narrow8

Find the problem

The tall, narrow boat had a small bottom.

It did not push aside much water.

It tipped over easily.

The crew will change one thing: make it wide and flat.

READ THE TABLE
  • Read the question.
  • Tap your answer.
How many coins did version 1 carry?
WHICH CHANGE IS FAIR?
  • Read the question.
  • Tap your answer.
Which plan changes only the shape?
Rocket wants new, lighter coins too. Is that fair?
PLAN THE FAIR TEST
  • Tap a card.
  • Then tap its spot.
1First
2Next
3Then
4Last
Draw your wide, flat boat.

Tall walls, small bottom

Rocket wanted tall walls to keep water out.

But tall walls made the bottom small.

A small bottom pushes aside less water.

That was the trade off.

BOAT DETECTIVE
  • Read the question.
  • Tap your answer.
At which coin did version 1 tip?
Why did Rocket build tall walls?
What will the new boat look like?
IdeaTrue or false?
Rocket was upset when his boat tipped.?
The crew will use the same foil square.?
A narrow boat tips more easily.?
WHY THIS EXERCISEKnowing why it tipped helps us fix it.

A tipped boat taught us a lot!

Tomorrow, we test version 2.

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