May 12, 2006
How many pennies can 5th graders float in a boat crafted from a 3x3 square inch piece of aluminum foil?
Twenty-seven pennies (enough to win the elementary school division).
THANE: Maybe you should make the sides higher?
MICHAEL: I don't think so. It would reduce the surface area of the bottom too much.
THANE: Ah—OK. [Note to self—don't debate nautical designs with 5th graders that talk about accelerometers and angular momentum when they're discussing roller coasters].
Team C.E.M. [Cole, Eric, and Michael] watches the twenty-eighth penny sink the boat:
The boat at the bottom of the competition pool:
They won backpacks, water bottles, and three free tickets to Great America.
"You grade school kids—you're not supposed to be here," summarized the person running the contest (Team CEM play two violins and a cello in the middle school honor orchestra).
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