Challenge 001 · Ages 7–11
Wind-Powered Boat
Design and build a boat powered only by wind, then test different sail designs.
Recommended Guided Learning Time: 2 hours
Learners may require additional or fewer hours depending on age, prior experience, pace and the level of development they choose to take their project to.
Primary STEAM area
Engineering
The Challenge
What will your learner investigate?
Can you design a wind-powered boat that travels efficiently and improve it by testing different sails?
Learning outcomes
- Explain how wind force can create movement.
- Design and build a stable floating prototype.
- Measure performance and use test evidence to improve the sail or hull.
Connected learning
Science: forces, wind and resistance; Mathematics: measurement, timing and comparison; Geography: weather and renewable energy; English: recording and presenting findings.
Dream Areas
Prepare for this Challenge
What you'll need
Here's what may be useful for completing this activity. Requirements may vary depending on the learner, activity format and equipment available.
Materials & consumables
- Foam tray or a shallow recycled plastic container to form the body of the boat
- card or fabric sails
- drinking straws
- wooden skewers
- modelling clay
- waterproof tape.
Equipment, tools & software
- Basin or paddling pool
- ruler
- stopwatch
- fan (optional)
- scissors.
Safety & preparation
- Use blunt-ended skewers or holes made by an adult for the upright stick that holds the sail
- supervise water.
These preparation notes support planning and do not replace a project-specific risk assessment or appropriate adult supervision.