Full Steam Ahead: Bottle Boat Lab
By Lori Altenbaumer, 7th/8th Math & Science
Our 8th grade IPC students recently set sail—well, sort of! As part of our current unit, they tackled a hands-on lab investigation exploring chemical reactions, engineering design, and data collection through the Bottle Boat Lab.
The challenge was simple but thought-provoking: What is the relationship between the amount of fuel used and the distance a bottle boat can travel?
Students designed boats out of recycled water bottles and powered them using the classic reaction between baking soda (NaHCO₃) and vinegar (CH₃COOH). This fizzing chemical reaction produces carbon dioxide gas, which creates enough thrust to push the boats across the water.
Working first as a class, students brainstormed design ideas and agreed upon a standard testing procedure to make sure their data would be reliable. Then, in small groups, they experimented with different amounts of vinegar (amount of baking soda was kept constant), carefully measuring how far their boats traveled each time. While collecting data, students were able to see patterns emerge more clearly, compare results, and evaluate the effects of changing one variable at a time.
This lab wasn’t just about fun (though there was plenty of that splashing around!). It gave students the opportunity to:
Apply scientific inquiry and the engineering design process.
See chemistry in action as a chemical reaction created motion.
Practice identifying independent variables, dependent variables, and constants.
Work collaboratively to standardize procedures, collect data, analyze results, and draw conclusions.
The Bottle Boat Lab perfectly blended science, creativity, and critical thinking. Our 8th graders loved seeing their boats zoom (or sometimes sputter!) across the water, and they left with a deeper understanding of how chemical reactions can be harnessed as a source of power.
Just like their bottle boats, our students are propelled forward by curiosity and determination—and there is no telling where their learning journey will take them next!
