Ship Building - Presentation

The presentation on shipbuilding is an educational journey exploring the chemistry and physical properties of everyday materials and their applications in maritime construction. Students are prompted to consider why certain materials are chosen for specific purposes by understanding their unique characteristics. The session begins with fundamental questions designed to encourage students to describe material properties and link them to their suitability for particular uses, such as in shipbuilding. The lesson includes a historical look at the Titanic's sinking, prompting students to think about the principles of buoyancy and the factors contributing to the disaster.

Through engaging activities like the 'Egg and Salt' experiment, students observe firsthand how the density of water changes with the addition of salt, affecting an object's ability to float. This leads to a practical investigation where students test various materials to see if they sink or float, drawing conclusions about common properties of floating objects and their relevance to boat construction. The lesson progresses to examine modern boat materials and designs, challenging students to think critically about the best materials for building a cargo ship based on their ability to distribute weight. Finally, the 'Soda Float' activity allows students to explore how the sugar content in cans affects buoyancy. By the end of the presentation, students are expected to articulate how ships can carry significant weight, why metal is a preferred material for shipbuilding, and what other materials could be suitable, thereby demonstrating their understanding of the link between material properties and their practical applications in shipbuilding.