Schroeder Students Make Waves in Cardboard Boats

Webster Schroeder High School students recently put their physics and calculus knowledge to the test in a unique and entertaining challenge: building and racing boats made entirely of cardboard! 

Teams of two to four students spent a week designing and constructing their vessels, aiming to create a boat sturdy enough to carry at least one person across the width of the pool.

On June 3, four innovative cardboard creations hit the water at the Webster Aquatics Center, each vying for the fastest time. While one boat quickly succumbed to the water, sinking before leaving the edge, the remaining three showcased impressive engineering. One canoe-shaped vessel successfully transported its Warrior captain across the pool and back. Another, a flat boat designed like a stand-up paddleboard with internal reinforcements, saw its sailor swiftly glide across the water using homemade cardboard hand fins. The fourth boat, resembling a small outrigger canoe, also demonstrated remarkable speed.

Ultimately, the stand-up paddleboard-style boat, with its innovative hand-fin propulsion, was declared the winner for its impressive speed at 20.24 seconds!

After the official contest, other classmates eagerly took the opportunity to try out the cardboard crafts, though one boat eventually sank under the weight of two occupants.

Regardless of whether the boats sank or sailed, the event was a resounding success. Students and spectators alike had a fantastic time cheering on the cardboard fleets and their captains, all while gaining valuable insights into the practical applications of their classroom learning.