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P6 students learned about Floating and Sinking as part of Effect of Forces in Science class. In this lesson, students got the knowledge that mass and surface area of an object can affect floating and sinking. Object that has smaller mass and wide surface area will most likely float on water, while object with bigger mass and small surface area will most likely sink in water.

To apply the knowledge that they have got in the lesson, students worked in group to make an unsinkable boat, a boat toy that would float on water. In working on this project, students had an initial discussion with their groups in selecting the materials that they used in making the boat and designing the shape that would make their boat floats. This activity helped them in preparing the making process of the boat as well as deepen the concept of mass and shape that will affect floating and sinking.

After students engaged in discussion, students started making the toy boat on the next meeting. In this meeting, they brought the materials used in making the boats. The materials that they have chosen were plastic bottle, cardboard, paper, wooden stick and even straws. Creating the boat from these materials also became a challenge since students needed to make sure that there will be no space for water to enter the boat. The students did not only make the basic-shaped boat, but they thought out of the box and played with shapes in producing unique floating boats. As the final step, one representative from each group stepped forward to test their boat on water and presented their boats in front of the classroom. They explained why the groups chose the materials and how the design worked to make the boat floats.

Through this experiment, the students can gain deeper understanding of floating and sinking by using the theory of mass and shape in making the boats. Besides that, they can also stimulate their critical and scientific thinking by analysing the material that they choose, testing it on water and making the practical and realistic designs.

By recycling materials around them into other useful products, students do not only bring the theory and creativity into real product, but they can learn how to design and develop a certain product based on the knowledge of Science. They can also develop their collaboration skill to work in groups as well as raising their awareness to take care of their surroundings. In the future, this beneficial learning experience can trigger their critical thinking to apply Scientific knowledge to make their life easier.