Dive Into Submarines

Dive deep! Make your own model submarine while learning about the ups and downs of living and working in a huge underwater ship.

• 1.

  Submarines sink underwater, rise, and float on the surface. How? They change their weight using ballast tanks, which can hold either air or water. If the ballast tanks are filled with water, the sub becomes heavier and sinks. If the water is forced out, the weight of the vessel decreases and the sub rises. Find out more about submarines, how they work, and their history.

• 2.

  Discover what it’s like to be a submarine crew member by studying illustrations and reading descriptions of life on a submarine. If possible, find someone to interview about life on a sub. Now you’re ready to make a realistic model submarine scene.

• 3.

  <STRONG>Sculpt a sub</STRONG>. To make the hull, use Crayola® Scissors to cut a cardboard roll to the desired length of your submarine. Make two balls of aluminum foil. Insert them half way into each end of the roll. Glue in place with Crayola School Glue. Air-dry the hull.

• 4.

  Bend a chenille stick to form three propeller blades. Glue them in place on the aluminum foil. Air-dry the blades.

• 5.

  Cover the hull of your submarine with Model Magic. Cut out two small posterboard rudder rectangles. Insert and glue them near the propeller. Air-dry your sub.

• 6.

  Add Crayola Model Magic stripes to the hull. Cover the rudder rectangles with a layer of Model Magic.

• 7.

  To make the conning tower, make a small cylinder out of Model Magic. Gently press it on the top of the hull. Use white Model Magic to make porthole windows on and trim around the base of the conning tower. Roll and bend a thin cylinder of Model Magic to m

• 8.

  <STRONG>Craft a diorama</STRONG>. To make an underwater diorama in which to display your sub, remove the top from a recycled cardboard box. Use Crayola Washable Markers to color wide stripes on white construction paper for a background scene.

• 9.

  Cover your art area with newspaper. Use a Crayola Paint Brush to lightly brush over stripes with water to blend colors and show currents. Air-dry the scene.

• 10.

  Use Crayola School Glue to glue the background paper inside the box. Air-dry the box.

• 11.

  Glue your submarine in place. Air-dry your diorama thoroughly. You could even create a fleet of your own futuristic submarines!

Benefits

• Students research the history and scientific principles of submarines.
• Students read about living and working on a submarine.
• Students design and display a realistic replica of a submarine.

Adaptations

• Collect various small items. Record predictions about which items will sink or float in combination or individually. Experiment to check on your predictions. Analyze your data.
• To locate their targets, submarines use sound waves that travel through the water and then reflect back to the ship. These sonar systems use the same scientific principles that bats, whales, and dolphins use to locate their prey. Learn about echolocation
• Since space on a submarine is so limited, crew members must fit all of their personal belongings in a shallow bunk pan under their beds. Make a list of all the items you would take with you on a 60-day sea patrol. Measure the perimeter of a twin size mattress to see if a 4-inch (10 cm) deep container the size of the mattress would hold all of the items on your list. Make a new list of items that will fit in the container. Explain your reasons for discarding some items and keeping others. Compare and discuss lists with classmates.