Student's concrete designs are bound to float your boat

INNOVATION: Students Te Wainui Mansell (left), Adam Filer and Roze Robertson test the concrete boat model at Wanganui City College.PHOTO/ STUART MUNRO

Wanganui City College students have been learning about the buoyancy of concrete boats and technology teacher Phil Hopkinson said they have tested a number of models "to the point of destruction."

A double-hulled waka remains intact and students demonstrated how the miniature craft floated in a basin of water in the classroom this week.

Mr Hopkinson said the class did a "whole pile of math" before the cement was poured into plastic moulds.

The year 10 students had to think about what goes in to concrete, re-enforcing, wall thickness and using the Achimedes principal to work out water displacement.

"This is new for me too," said Mr Hopkinson "It's part of the innovation practices we have been introducing and the students have really run with the idea."

With Whanganui beaches being a rich source of pumice, the class decided to gather some and experiment with various amounts added to the cement.

Students Adam Filer, Roze Robertson and Te Wainui Mansell said they have really enjoyed the experiment and Roze and Te Wainui look forward to continuing with the work next year.

Adam said he plans to focus on design technology next year and has plans to study engineering in the future.

"I've really enjoyed the design aspects of this project and it has given me an interest in sailing boats although I really like engines," he said.

Engines are a possibility for the concrete model boats and Mr Hopkinson said students have suggested attaching a motor with remote control and will look at floating them in the school pool next year.

"We will give year 9 students a chance to work on this next year as well," he said.

"These guys have been the pioneers and they have demonstrated the kind of innovative thought that young minds are so capable of."