Fargo South physics teacher turns second-semester curriculum into a cardboard boat regatta to boost engagement

Michelle Strand, a physics teacher at Fargo South High School, described a project-based approach to second-semester physics that culminates in a cardboard boat regatta to increase student engagement.

"As terrified as I was to do it, I decided I was making second semester project based," Strand said, describing how an earlier "equation hunt" format led to lost student interest. The project has students working in groups of two to five over about two and a half months to design and build boats from cardboard, duct tape and paint; teams test boats by having one student paddle across the shallow end of a pool and, if the boat remains afloat, swap drivers.

Strand said the regatta includes awards for fastest boats, best costume, best boat design, best team spirit and a "Titanic award" for the most spectacular sinking. She reported that nine boats competed last year and that enrollment growth has increased entries to 14 this year. Safety measures described in the presentation include life jackets, competition only in the shallow end of the pool and two lifeguards on duty.

The second annual Fargo South cardboard boat regatta is scheduled for Thursday, March 27. Strand said the plan is to stage a boat parade starting about 5 p.m., with the race concluding around 6:00–6:30 p.m. She also described how the project is assessed using science-and-engineering practices and how other project-based activities in physics (building instruments for waves and sound, optics projects, electric-boat races) reinforce curriculum objectives.

Strand invited board members and the public to attend and described the project as a way to make physics more relevant and to build classroom community.