Transport on the Clyde

This project idea will develop knowledge and understanding of boat design and river transportation to meet local community needs and address environmental impact. Applying the principals of buoyancy and Archimedes theory of floating, pupils will design a boat to support a minimum of 4 passengers. The task of designing a new public boat service to commute the Clyde will involve consideration of the market needs and costing to provide this service. Young people will work in teams to create a solution and present their idea.

Outcomes of learning

• Subject knowledge gained and enhanced e.g. buoyancy through an experiential approach providing a solution for a real market
• Employability skills enhanced – application of knowledge in a real situation by designing a boat to carry a minimum load (concept for new river transport service) and to present and justify this to the investors
• Develop employability skills communication, problem solving, researching, presenting, sourcing, co-operating, contributing, and reporting
• Confidence of working independently from teacher-led lessons demonstrated by ability to take project in own direction and confidence to make justified decisions
• Pupils take responsibility for their learning through making decisions about the market they want to target, materials and structure used to model their boat and the number of passengers their boat will carry
• Pupils have developed enterprising skills identified as 4 capacities of CfE

Relevance to curriculum

• Supports 5-14 Technological education
• Identifying needs and wants of local community and proposing solutions to fulfil them
• Awareness of how technology affects our society and environment
• Ability to select and use resources/materials for a designated purpose