Activity
Build a Floating Pen
Social Studies:
Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) Outcomes and Experiences
Duration
Materials
SOC 2-08a: I can discuss the environmental impact of human activity and suggest ways in which we can live in a more environmentally-responsible way.
SOC 3-08a: I can identify the possible consequences of an environmental issue and make informed suggestions about ways to manage the impact
Numeracy:
MNU 2-11a: I can use my knowledge of the sizes of familiar objects or places to assist me when making an estimate of measure.
MNU 3-11a: I can solve practical problems by applying my knowledge of measure, choosing the appropriate units and degree of accuracy for the task
Technology:
TCH 2-09a: I can extend and enhance my design skills to solve problems and can construct models
TCH 3-09a: I can create solutions in 3D and 2D and can justify the construction/graphic methods and the design features.
1 class period
Copy of A Window Into Outdoors pages 14 - 15
Pens/pencils
Selection of objects that are likely to float: Balloons/ plastic bottles/cork/polystyrene/bubble wrap/pool noodle
Other objects: sponge/ cardboard/ paper/ pipe cleaners
Fruit mesh for netting
Marbles/ stones
Balloons
Plastic bottles
Activity Instructions
1.Introduction: “Today we will be doing a session on Aquaculture”
2 “What do you think is meant by the term ‘Aquaculture’?” Write their answers on the board
3 “Aquaculture means the ‘farming’ of all kinds of animals and plants that live in the water – fish, shellfish and seaweed. Jobs in aquaculture include farming, working to restore threatened and endangered populations, habitat restoration and looking after aquariums and fish cultures. It’s a growing industry playing an important part in providing sustainable sources of protein to feed our growing population.”
4.“In Scotland, Atlantic Salmon are mostly raised in large, floating net pens or cages. These structures consist of buoyant frames supporting a large-mesh net bag that is anchored securely to the seabed. This allows natural seawater to flow through. The salmon, initially hatched and grown in land-based freshwater facilities, are transferred to these marine pens as smolts, where they grow to a harvestable size over the coming months.”
5.Activity: Build a Floating Pen. Explain that today they are going to be split into teams to build their own floating pen.
6.Instructions:
Give the teams the selection of resources ensuring that each team gets their own fruit bag net. Challenge the teams to build a floating pen that is at least 30 cm in length (you can increase or decrease this depending on what space and materials you have available. Explain that the pen must float and can not be supported by another structure or by a pupil. Once the pens are built, explain you are going to test how sturdy their structure is. As a class, place the structures in a large bucket of water and see if they float or sink. The second test is to see what happens if something gets tangled in the net. Place the marbles or stones in one at a time and see how many it can take before it sinks. The pen that is able to hold the most marbles/stones without sinking is the winner of the challenge.
7 Wrap-Up: What worked well, what didn’t, what would they do differently next time?
What do you think are the benefits of ‘farming fish’ are there any downsides? Write answers on the board.