Boy Scouts of America

Scouting America logo
Feedback

Feedback

Please provide feedback on your experience of this adventure or activity
Report Quality Assurance
If there are errors or issues with this adventure/ activity, please go to the Report Quality Assurance Page.
Adventure/Activity Feedback Form
This feedback helps identify things den leaders like and opportunities for improvement.
Feedback Form
Cub Scout Adventures > 
Webelos >
 Race Time Webelos > 
Boat Friction
Back to: Race Time Webelos
Print This Page
Webelos – 4th Grade
Race Time Webelos
Elective
Requirement 3

Boat Friction

Webelos – 4th Grade
Race Time Webelos
Elective
Requirement 3

Boat Friction

Snapshot of Activity

Cub Scouts learn how friction impacts their boat.

Indoor
2
4
4
If you want to know more about The Adventure Activity Key click here.

Before the meeting:

  1. Build the Raingutter Regatta boats, each with a different surface on the underside: sandpaper, glossy paint, and felt.
  2. Set up meeting space with the inflatable Raingutter Regatta Racetrack.
  3. Print a copy of the Boat Friction Observation worksheet for each Cub Scout.

During the meeting:

  1. Explain that Cub Scouts will be exploring how different surfaces on the bottom of the boat affect the speed of the boat.
  2. Explain what force is. “In physics, a force is what causes the motion of an object to change its speed. If you take a ball and place it on the floor, it may roll around for a while, but eventually, it will stay in one place. If
  3. the wind blows, the ball will move. The wind is the force causing the ball to move. If you kick the ball, your foot provides the force causing the ball to move.
  4. Explain what friction is. “Friction is a type of force. When a force is applied to something that is moving one way and the force is going another way, it is called friction. Let’s use the ball as our example. When you kicked the ball, the ball had to move through the air which caused friction, slowing down the ball. The surface that the ball is rolling on also causes friction. The ball will roll loner on a smooth surface compared to rolling on a grassy field. Have the Cub Scouts buddy up with a car and place them at a station. They will roll their car across the three different types of surfaces and record their results.
  5. Explain that each Cub Scout will get a turn to blow each boat across the track.
  6. Give a pencil and a Boat Friction Observation worksheet to each Cub Scout.
  7. Allow each Cub Scout to blow each type of boat across the tub of water, recording their time with the stopwatch from the starting line to the finish line.
  8. After each Cub Scout has a turn gather them together, and ask the following questions:
    • Which boat went the fastest?
    • Why do you think it went the slowest with the felt on the bottom? What got in the way?
    • How can we apply this concept to your boat for the upcoming race?

Additional Resources

Boat Friction Observation worksheet

Other Activities Options

You can choose other activities of your choice.

Webelos – 4th Grade

Wheel Friction

Indoor
2
4
4

Cub Scouts learn how friction impacts their race car.

See Details

Bray Barnes

Director, Global Security Innovative
Strategies

Bray Barnes is a recipient of the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award, Silver
Beaver, Silver Antelope, Silver Buffalo, and Learning for Life Distinguished
Service Award. He received the Messengers of Peace Hero award from
the royal family of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and he’s a life member of
the 101st Airborne Association and Vietnam Veterans Association. Barnes
serves as a senior fellow for the Global Federation of Competitiveness
Councils, a nonpartisan network of corporate CEOs, university presidents, and
national laboratory directors. He has also served as a senior executive for the
U.S. Department of Homeland Security, leading the first-responder program
and has two U.S. presidential appointments

David Alexander

Managing Member Calje

David Alexander is a Baden-Powell Fellow, Summit Bechtel Reserve philanthropist, and recipient of the Silver Buffalo and Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. He is the founder of Caljet, one of the largest independent motor fuels terminals in the U.S. He has served the Arizona Petroleum Marketers Association, Teen Lifeline, and American Heart Association. A triathlete who has completed hundreds of races, Alexander has also mentored the women’s triathlon team at Arizona State University.

Glenn Adams

President, CEO & Managing Director
Stonetex Oil Corp.

Glenn Adams is a recipient of the Silver Beaver, Silver Antelope, Silver Buffalo, and Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. He is the former president of the National Eagle Scout Association and established the Glenn A. and Melinda W. Adams National Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year Award. He has more than 40 years of experience in the oil, gas, and energy fields, including serving as a president, owner, and CEO. Adams has also received multiple service awards from the Texas Alliance of Energy Producers.