Ship Design

Goals:

To conceptualize three dimensional space relationships from a two dimensional architectural sketch.

To draw architectural sketches, creating unique symbols to represent various items on their individual sketches.

To apply space limitations to designing their own ship's floor plan.

Content Areas:

Science - one, two, and three dimensional space

Math - measuring skills, addition, subtraction

Language Arts - group discussion, decision making, writing skills

Art - plan drawing

Materials:

Blueprints or architectural sketches

Large sheets of freezer paper

Colored pencils

Markers

Symbol templates

Rulers, yardsticks

Procedure: (2 hours)

1) Ask students to define one, two, and three dimensional space. Give examples.

2) Pass out a number of blueprints for a house or building and ask the students to examine them for a while.

3) Ask students to identify and explain the blueprints. Why do they look the way they do? Ask students to find a door, a window, and stairs on the blueprint. Are there any symbols on the blueprints that represent these features? Why are these symbols used?

4) Ask the students if they would be able to draw a blueprint of their classroom. On the chalkboard, draw a blueprint based upon student responses.

5) As a group students will draw a blueprint and decide what symbols will represent doors, windows, etc. These symbols should be noted so students can reference them.

6) Students will draw a floor plan of a ship they will design. Length and width limitations can be set by the class. Have students decide what things are necessary for a ship that travels the ocean. For example, the ship must have a kitchen and sleeping quarters. Using these space limitations, students have the remaining time to complete the floor plan of their ship.

7) Upon completing their ship floor plan, students should write a brief explanation about why they designed the ship as they did and for what purpose their ship was designed. In pairs, students will evaluate each other's ship floor plans and peer edit the other's written explanation.

Assessment:

Individual students will be assessed upon their participation in class discussion. Criteria for success: Did the students contribute to class discussion? (see Discussion Rubric)

Each student will have an opportunity to discuss his/her finished product with another student. Peer editing of design explanation will help to serve as an assessment. Did each student provide constructive criticism, and were changes made to improve the explanation? Ask students to write down the constructive criticisms and changes that were made.

The teacher will assess the ship floor plan as well as the explanation for their individual floor plans. Criteria for success: Did the student utilize the symbols that were agreed upon in class? Did the student incorporate necessary rooms? Did the student make an attempt at creativity or just finish the assignment?

Extensions:

As an additional activity, students could make a blueprint of the classroom. This could be used as an introduction into representing three dimensional space on paper.

Invite an architect to explain the mathematical and artistic qualities of his/her profession.

Use the internet to find historical data on the layout and dimensions of famous explorers’ ships.

Making Waves - written by Jennifer Cannistra, Jamie Hanna, Michael LeRoy, & Kim Mongoven

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