After the middle school students shared their mechanical creations, 4th grader Carter W. was inspired and determined to create a mechanical device of his own. So the following weekend, Carter make a motor-operated miniature boat using the following found materials: a 12-pack Coke box, 3 plastic Coke bottles, Styrofoam, aluminum foil, purple duct tape, scotch tape, a handheld fan for the motor, and a Statue of Liberty-shaped hat bearing the boat’s name: Liberty Tax Service. Carter tested his boat in the bathtub to make sure the Styrofoam and plastic Coke bottles would work as flotation devices and that the weight of the boat was evenly distributed. After filling up the front Coke bottle with just the right amount of water, the boat passed the bathtub test and took a ride in the neighborhood pond. Excellent job, Carter! Now that’s determination and motivation for you!
