DOOR CO. (NBC 26) -- Door County is looking to bring maritime history and technology to life, even during this time of quarantine.
Door Co. Maritime Museum (DCMM) wants you to build paper and cardboard boats for a new online competition: Float Your Boat Challenge.
In partnership with the Peninsula Pulse newspaper, DCMM is launching the "Float Your Boat" paper and cardboard boat-building challenge. They are asking students and anyone else who is interested to create, float, and share their boats online to compete.
According to the Museum, this new program is a stand-in for the Cardboard Regatta competition they launched in May 2019 with Door Co. middle school students. The Cardboard Regatta teaches students engineering, problem-solving, and teamwork.
DCMM educational programs emphasizes the importance of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM) in the area's rich maritime economy.
Anyone who wants to be part of the "Float Your Boat Challenge" has six days to create, float, and submit their creations online. All video and picture entries must be posted to Facebook or Instagram with #dcmaritime by May 20. Competition results will be posted on the Pulse and DCMM Facebook and Instagram pages on May 22 - National Maritime Day.
There are three categories of boats for your crew to try to build.
- Newspaper: Use only newspaper to fold into a boat-like shape that will float in your kitchen sink – no tape or glue.
- Cardboard: This is a floating and weighted challenge. Use cardboard, adhesives like paper glue or tape, and create a boat-like shape that will float, and test how many pennies it can hold and still float.
- Freeform: Use a combination of newspaper, cardboard, and adhesives to create a floating vessel. Then add pennies to see how much weight it will hold and still float. Creativity is key to this challenge – use boat types like schooners, pontoons, or amphiboats for inspiration!
The DCMM suggests holding sea trials in your kitchen sink. Take pictures or videos of your boats, timing the float and adding weights until they sink. If you are under 18, please get a parent or guardian's permission to post video or photos if you are in them.
A fun, additional activity the DCMM suggests is putting your boats in Door Co. creeks and following along side them.
DCMM says the most interesting entries will be published by the Peninsula Pulse and in the daily Pulse Picks e-news. Be sure to use #dcmaritime by May 20 so they can see your entry!
To ask questions, message Door Co. Maritime Museum on Facebook or Instagram, or email pfunkhouser@dcmm.org.
