NCBO’s educational “Build-a-Buoy” project was featured on FOX 5 DC the morning of Monday, February 7, as part of their coverage of NOAA Heritage Week. Bart Merrick of NCBO’s Environmental Literacy Team was in action on the FOX 5 Morning Show to describe what students can learn from the activity—and a bit more about how people use observational buoys.
The “Build-a-Buoy” project can be accomplished in classrooms or homes using parts available at home improvement and sports stores including PVC pipe and connectors, wire ties, and Frisbees and gold balls.
Using these materials, budding buoy builders can learn principles of engineering including balance, buoyancy, and weight distribution; scientific method, including developing a hypothesis, planning, observing, and making changes; and a bit about different types of buoys, including navigational and observational buoys.
Brief instructions are available to get buoy assembly started in your classroom or home—but feel free to experiment with other parts and processes. And please let NCBO know at kevin.schabow@noaa.gov. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you have new innovations that should be considered in its Build-a-Buoy program!