Vermeulen, C., & Lande, M. (2025, June), Will It Float? Iterative Design and Learning Through a 3D Printed Boat Design Challenge  Paper presented at 2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition , Montreal, Quebec, Canada . 10.18260/1-2--57350

\bibitem{asee_peer_57350}
  Vermeulen, C., \& Lande, M. (2025, June), \emph{Will It Float? Iterative Design and Learning Through a 3D Printed Boat Design Challenge}
  Paper presented at 2025 ASEE Annual Conference \& Exposition , Montreal, Quebec, Canada .
  10.18260/1-2--57350

Cooper Vermeulen and Micah Lande.  "Will It Float? Iterative Design and Learning Through a 3D Printed Boat Design Challenge".  2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition , Montreal, Quebec, Canada , 2025, June.  ASEE Conferences, 2025.  https://peer.asee.org/57350 Internet.  24 Aug, 2025

\bibitem{asee_peer_57350}
  Cooper Vermeulen and Micah Lande.
  "Will It Float? Iterative Design and Learning Through a 3D Printed Boat Design Challenge".
  \emph{2025 ASEE Annual Conference \& Exposition , Montreal, Quebec, Canada , 2025, June}.
  ASEE Conferences, 2025.
  https://peer.asee.org/57350 Internet.  24 Aug, 2025

@INPROCEEDINGS{asee_peer_57350
author = "Cooper Vermeulen and Micah Lande"
title = "Will It Float? Iterative Design and Learning Through a 3D Printed Boat Design Challenge"
booktitle = "2025 ASEE Annual Conference \& Exposition "
year = "2025"
month = "June"
address = "Montreal, Quebec, Canada "
publisher = "ASEE Conferences"
note = {https://peer.asee.org/57350}
number = {10.18260/1-2--57350}
}

TY  - CPAPER
AB  - This evidence-based practice paper details a hands-on design challenge for first-year engineering students aimed at fostering creativity, problem-solving, and iterative design thinking. Students were tasked with designing and 3D printing miniature boats capable of supporting maximum weight before sinking.

Motivation: The project integrates theoretical concepts of buoyancy with a practical application, allowing students to experience engineering constraints and iterative design.

Objectives:
1.	Enhance understanding of buoyancy principles through hands-on learning.
2.	Develop skills in computer-aided design (CAD) and additive manufacturing.
3.	Cultivate iterative problem-solving and adaptability through multiple design refinements.

Practical Implementation: The project began with an introductory tin foil boat activity, transitioning to CAD-based design and 3D printing within size constraints to promote creativity and efficient use of resources. Students iteratively refined their designs over several weeks, testing them under increasingly challenging conditions, including still water and simulated wave action.

Assessment Methods: The project was evaluated through qualitative analysis of student interviews, design documentation, and performance metrics such as buoyant efficiency (weight held to boat weight ratio). Observations revealed that students progressed from maximizing volume to optimizing weight distribution and structural integrity.

This study underscores the value of structured design challenges in fostering engineering competencies, providing actionable insights for integrating similar activities into first-year engineering curricula. The paper offers practical guidance for educators to adapt this approach, emphasizing iterative learning and real-world problem-solving.

AU  - Cooper Vermeulen
AU  - Micah Lande
CY  - Montreal, Quebec, Canada 
DA  - 2025/06/22
PB  - ASEE Conferences
TI  - Will It Float? Iterative Design and Learning Through a 3D Printed Boat Design Challenge
UR  - https://peer.asee.org/57350
DO  - 10.18260/1-2--57350
ER  -