Viking Ship Design Challenge
In this design challenge, students learn about the Vikings from an engineering point-of-view. While investigating the history and anatomy of Viking ships, they learn how engineering solutions are shaped by the surrounding environment and availability of resources. Students apply this knowledge to design, build and test their own model Viking ships.
Students create their own miniature Viking ships
In addition to their reputation as barbaric warriors, the Vikings were clever engineers, especially at sea. This nomadic group of sailors understood how engineering solutions are shaped by the availability of resources and the surrounding environment. It is incredible that the ship design created by Vikings more than 1,000 years ago is still used today! Today, engineers gain valuable knowledge by studying designs and technologies that have been successful over time.
After this activity, students should be able to:
- Describe how engineering solutions are influenced and shaped by the surrounding environment and available resources.
- Describe the basic components of a ship and how its parts function together as a system.
- Describe their experience using the engineering design process to solve a problem.