Campton Elementary School 8th Grade
"Hope It Floats Program"
Boat Building with Students
James Gleich / Instructor & Mentor
Welcome to our "Hope It Floats" Boat Building Program. Each winter, students from the 8th grade class work together to build a 12' canoe. Using hand tools and elbow grease, students transform a pile of wood and fabric into a working, functional vessel. Will it float?
This project is a collaborative "STEAM" (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) project designed to integrate most areas of the eighth grade curriculum into a real time, real world opportunity for the students. Students experience a truly hands-on approach to problem solving and material manipulation. Students track their progress through photography and video development. After the boat is finished, students are introduced to advertising as they raffle it off as a fund raiser for the eighth grade class field trip at the end of the academic year.
The majority of the materials for each boat are donated by local businesses and community members. If you are interested in or would like to help out this program through material donations please contact Jim Gleich (jgleich@pemibaker.org).
Our thanks go out to everyone who has donated material, purchased raffle tickets, and who have helped make this program happen. To the faculty and staff at Campton Elementary School, especially Mr. George and Mr. Hamnett, thank you for your continued support and flexibility.
2018 Stitch and Glue Canoe
12' Little Kate Model, Selway Fisher Design
2019 Boat Building Photos, (Video to follow).
Getting ready to work
Lashing the ribs.
Attaching the skin on the frame.
Yankee Screwdriver at work. attaching the rub-rail.
"Hope It Floats Program" Donors (to date)
Without the their help, we would be up a creek. - King Forest Industries, Wentworth (clear pine boards)
- White Mountain Fiberglass, Rumney (fiberglass)
- Wink Farina in memory of her husband Bernie Van Knowe (2019 project, Bernie's Dream)