Motorboat Book: Build & Launch 20 Jet Boats, Paddle-Wheelers, Electric Submarines & More
Acknowledgments ohn Weigant suggested the baking soda model that he remembered from his youth He related that he spent lots of time in his bathtub as a kid using up his mother's vinegar John also helped with several experimental models As always John thanks for your ideas Professor Alejandro Jenkins at Florida State Uni versity provided copies of his research papers on the subject of putt putt boats His work is shedding new light on the operation of these enigmatic and fun boats Thank you professor Thanks too to my wife Barbara for her sug gestions on several projects and for not complaining about our house being cluttered with models miscel laneous parts and failed experiments Lastly thanks go to the kids and teachers who applied their creativity and critical thinking skills to build some of the models shown
Ahoy essing around with boats is great fun and a •wonderful way to learn By making a model watercraft that really works you can test your engi neering talents and learn patience and a wide vari ety of skills You will learn science and technology while enjoying the process of building and testing the boats pumps and other devices shown in this book You will also learn the same way that inventors sci entists and artists learn by having creative ideas making models of the ideas and figuring out how to make the models work It is the natural way to learn and the way that best engages people in the process of learning If you are a teacher or home school parent you will find an incredible amount of solid STEM sci ence technology engineering and mathematics con tent and methods wrapped in the feathers of The Motorboat Book Grab a copy of the STEM standards for your state or country and compare them to the list below Building these projects leads to under standing of Buoyancy and density Chemical reaction
Design and systems Electric circuits Energy and energy transformations Forces and motion Gravity Hydraulics Investigations and experiments Measurement Motors Nature of matter Process of science and engineering investigations Solar energy Sound Use of tools and materials You have to admit that this is an impressive list of learning topics It is especially impressive when you consider that anyone making these models will be excited to continue the learning and won't ask Is this on the test As readers build models they will develop skills in using tools and materials and will improve their self confidence Once skills and under standing have been achieved people tend to use them Builders will continue making things using the skills gained and learn new skills along the
