Intermediate and high school students experienced real-life applications of some of the theories they learn in school at the Marine Institute’s model boat race on Saturday.
The flume tank at the Ridge Road campus was abuzz with cheering, clapping and plenty of anticipation as students raced boats they built themselves.
Ascension Collegiate science teacher Dave Keefe called the event the “ultimate application of things that students learn in class every day.”
“In a day when a lot of things are digital and virtual, this is still real,” Keefe said. “They made this boat, and it actually works, and it’s because of what they did to figure this out. It’s not like they had a boat that they bought and they just raced it around. They’re actually building it.”
Participating students worked on their model boats with teacher mentors after school during the weeks leading up to the race.
While the Marine Institute supplied schools with the motor, shaft, prop, batteries and remote control, students were responsible for designing their own hull and rudder.
Ken Baker, co-chair of the model boat race committee and chair of the naval architecture technology program at Marine Institute, said they supply those parts so every school is operating on the same level.
“We hope they’re learning about things like hull form — what the best hull form is to get through the water quickly but still have a good maneuverability with the rudder,” Baker said.
“They should also be learning about propulsion systems … and that ties right in with our naval architecture program and our marine engineering systems design program, so in that way we’re trying to raise awareness of the programs.”
The Marine Institute may have hooked one new student because of the event.
Fatima Academy Grade 12 student Braedan McGrath said he is considering studying naval architecture, and the “really fun” day he had at the model boat race might influence his post-secondary plans.
“It’s fun to be able to build a boat with your team, come out and perform, and make adjustments as you go along,” McGrath said, adding that he noticed the application of a lot of material learned in physics courses.
“Without it, you wouldn’t be able to build the boat.”
Participating in the day-long event were teams from Ascension Collegiate, Brookside Intermediate, Clarenville High, Crescent Collegiate, Fatima Academy, Queen Elizabeth Regional High, Roncalli Central High, St. Mark’s School and Stella Maris Academy.
Keefe, who is a teacher mentor for the model boat team at Ascension Collegiate, said the race is an enjoyable challenge for students.
“They enjoy building the boat themselves, they enjoy bringing it here, and they’re proud of it,” he said. “They’re proud that they’ve actually made this thing from their own thoughts and with their own hands.”
Keefe said they also learn a lot throughout the process.
“They learn teamwork skills because they’re working together to solve a problem, and so they use problem-solving skills as well. They also have to do their research on boat design, and it is application of physics.”
But it was more than just application of knowledge on Saturday.
Students were obviously having a lot of fun, too.
“You meet a lot of new people, and it’s fun to be here with your friends,” McGrath said.
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