Bear Exploration Center

Magnet Curriculum 

2025-2026

Miss Paik's Second Grade Class

Polar Bear Buoyancy Challenge

Objective:  Students will design and build a floating boat that can hold a small polar bear figure without sinking. Students will test, improve, and explain their designs.

Directions: Each group member will be given one piece of tin foil. They will have to work together to create a boat. Then, they will place their creation in a tub of water and gently set a small plastic bear on top to see if it floats or sinks. After observing what happens, students will adjust or redesign their boat and test it again to see if their improved design works better.

Guidelines: Students may shape their boat in any design they choose, but they may only use the tin foil provided. The boat should be able to float on the water before the bear is added. Students will gently place the small bear on top to test whether the boat stays afloat. If it sinks or tips, students may redesign it and try again. They should observe what worked, what didn’t, and how their changes improved the design.