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Dive Into Submarines

Dive into the world of underwater vessels and create a model of a submarine.

Lesson Plan

Supplies Needed

Gather all the supplies needed to bring your craft ideas to life! From paints and markers to glue and scissors, our crafts section has everything to spark creativity and make every project truly special.

  • Chenille Sticks
  • Craft Materials
  • Recycled Cardboard Box
  • Recycled Materials

Steps

  • Step 1

    Submarines are ocean vessels that are capable of propelling themselves independently beneath the water as well as on the water's surface. Ask students to investigate their uses and how they work. They are mainly used by the military but are also employed for exploration, underwater inspections, tourism and other areas. Most are powered by diesel engines which need air to make them work, but things are different for a submarine. Have students find out how the diesel engine operates underwater and also look up ballasts, generator-powered batteries, propellers, hulls, and other parts involved in operating and navigating a submarine.

  • Step 2

    Have students identify the major components of a submarine and their placement. Then have them create a diorama using Model Magic over a recycled object for the submarine and other craft items such as chenille sticks for the propellers. For the ocean background they can paint scenery on paper and then glue it to the inside of a box or a box lid.

  • Step 3

    Have students present their dioramas and discuss some of the facts they learned about submarines.

Standards

SCI: Convey designs through sketches, detailed drawings, or physical models to communicate ideas and solutions.

SCI: Recognize what is relevant and how changes in scale, proportion, or quantity affect a system's structure or performance.

Adaptations

The first navigable submarine was build in 1620 by Cornelius Drebbel. Have students investigate this vessel as well as the "Turtle" of 1775 which was the first combat submarine and the Nautilus of 1797 designed by steamboat inventor Robert Fulton.

Submarines navigate by using sonar. Have students learn about this technique which uses acoustics to determine distance and direction. Have them also investigate echolocation - the sonar system used by bats, whales, and even a few species of birds.