Walt Whitman: Setting Sail for STEM: Second Graders Engineer Their Own Mayflower Challenge

Our second graders recently embarked on an exciting hands-on learning experience in their enrichment class as they explored the historic Mayflower voyage. After learning about the challenges faced by the Pilgrims as they crossed the Atlantic, students were presented with a STEM challenge of their own: design and build a model boat capable of floating—and holding as many “passengers” as possible.

Using tinfoil for the hull, small wooden sticks for structural support, and a coffee filter for the sail, students worked through each step of the STEM engineering process. They planned, sketched, tested ideas, made adjustments, and then constructed their final designs. Once the boats were ready, the big moment arrived—students placed their creations in water to see how many passengers (marbles) each vessel could hold before sinking.

The activity sparked creativity, teamwork, and plenty of excitement. Students were fully engaged as they problem-solved, experimented with different designs, and celebrated each successful float. This memorable project not only deepened their understanding of the Mayflower voyage but also strengthened their critical thinking and engineering skills. Our young Wolverines absolutely loved this challenge and had a wonderful time “setting sail” together!