Secondary Module 2: Principles of Hull Design

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Learning Objectives

Explain how density, mass, volume, gravity, buoyancy, and Archimedes’ Principle determine whether objects float or sink, and calculate displacement using fluid overflow.
Design, build, and test a hull from aluminium foil, and measure how much mass it can hold before failing.
Analyse and improve a hull design by applying the SCAMPER process, and justify design changes using collected data.
Connect and communicate scientific principles of buoyancy and displacement to real-world contexts, including America’s Cup yacht hull shapes and materials across history.

Lesson Description

This module is broken into five lessons :

Lesson 1 - Intro to buoyancy, density & displacement:
Students will explore how objects float with reference to density, mass, volume, gravity, buoyancy and Archimedes Principle. Students will also learn how to calculate displacement using fluid overflow. Hull types and materials used over the history of the America’s Cup will link these concepts in the ‘STEM in Focus’ section.

Lesson 2 - Plan the hull challenge:
Students will use the STEM Learning Process to ‘Build an aluminium foil hull that holds the greatest amount of mass before failing’. This may require research and group work prior to building the design.

Lesson 3 - Build, test, measure:
Students will spend a lesson constructing their design and will begin testing it, recording results.

Lesson 4 - Improve, apply, communicate:
Students will have an opportunity to use SCAMPER to modify one feature of their original design. They will then re-build this design with this change, re- test it and note any changes/improvements. Students will also analyse their design using the STEM Challenge Analysis Questions section.

Lesson 5 - Optional 'Extra for Experts':
If time permits, students will begin the ‘Extra for Experts’ section. This is a series of application questions that are based on the reading and understanding of the entire module.

Please note - Lesson times are a pacing guide. You can adjust the pace depending on your school's timetable/students' abilities.

Resources

Access resources here

Secondary Teaching Program (Linked to Australian Curriculum
Secondary Module 2 Teacher Guide
Secondary Module 2 Student Workbook
Secondary Module 2 Student Workbook (Answers)
Secondary Module 2 Student PowerPoint
Secondary Module 2 Teacher PowerPoint
Secondary Module 2 Lab Request Form
Secondary Module 2 Assessment
Secondary Module 2 Assessment Answer Key

Other Modules

Module 1	Module 2	Module 3	Module 4	Module 5
Module 6	Module 7	Module 8	Module 9	Module 10