Italian Festa Day / Foil Gondola Float Test
Foil Gondola Float Test
Children design boats from foil, inspired by the gondolas of Venice, then test how many coins or marbles each can carry before it sinks.
How to run it
- Explain that Venice is a city built on water where long, flat boats called gondolas carry people along the canals.
- Give each child or pair one square of foil to shape into a boat.
- Float the boats in a tub of water and add coins one at a time.
- Record how many each boat holds before sinking.
- Discuss which shapes worked best and try a second design.
You will need
- aluminium foil squares
- tubs of water
- coins, washers or marbles
- towels
- recording sheet
Make it easier or harderYounger children can simply float and sink objects; older children can graph the results and compare boat shapes.
SafetySupervise water play at all times and keep coins and marbles away from children who may mouth them.
My Time Our Place · Outcome 4Children make predictions, test designs and improve them, building scientific thinking.
Fits these theme days
Italian Festa DayScience WeekScience DayWater Play DayAfter School Quick STEMPlanes, Trains and Automobiles
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