Mississippi Science P.5.5A.5
The Standard
- P.5.5A
- Students will demonstrate an understanding of the physical properties of matter.
Design a vessel that can safely transport a dense substance (e.g., syrup, coins, marbles) through water at various distances and under variable conditions. Use an engineering design process to define the problem, design, construct, evaluate, and improve the vessel. *
2026 Mississippi College- and Career-Readiness Standards for Science · Organization of Matter and Chemical Interactions
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students design and build a vessel to carry heavy cargo across water. They test it over different distances and in calm and wavy water, then use what happened to improve the design.
What Mastery Looks Like
- A student can name the cargo, distance, and water conditions the vessel must handle. Their vessel carries the cargo without sinking or spilling, and they can explain a design change using test results.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may think coins will sink even when a vessel holds them. They may also change the number of coins between tests, which makes it hard to tell whether a new design works better.
How to Assess It
- Exit ticket: A foil boat carries five pennies 30 cm on calm water but sinks during a 60 cm tow with gentle waves. Sketch one change and explain how you would test it with the same five pennies.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give pairs foil, tape, five pennies, and a water tub; have them sketch, build, and tow a vessel 30 cm, then add gentle waves.
After each test, ask students to write: Where did water enter or cargo shift, and what change might prevent it?
Run a redesign challenge: teams get one new sheet of foil and two trials to carry the same pennies 60 cm.
Show a photo of a gravel barge on a river; ask students what its builders must plan for when the current changes.
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