Boat Dúddi breaks all records
The annual boat games took place on the small pond at Reykjavík City Hall this morning, where the boat Dúddi shattered every record since the event's inception.
Boats built from recycled materials
The boat games showcase vessels designed and built by sixth-grade students at Vesturbæjarskóli, who launched them on the small pond at Reykjavík City Hall today. For this challenge, students had to design a boat that could sail a designated distance without sinking, giving them complete creative freedom in their approach. Rules required students to build their boats from recycled materials and power them without electricity. Vesturbæjarskóli, Ingunnarskóli, and Selásskóli collaborate on the boat games project, with all three schools participating each year.
A naval architect shares expertise
The boat games serve as a STEAM education activity designed to strengthen students' reasoning, creativity, and problem-solving skills. STEAM stands for sciences, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. The project placed a strong emphasis on the design process, encouraging each child to become a true investigator of how boats work. To prepare for the project, students hosted Birgir, a naval engineer at Skipasýn, who walked them through the fundamentals of boat design and functionality. That knowledge proved invaluable when the students moved on to the woodworking and design of their own boats.
Ideation and testing made all the difference
Students worked purposefully on the project, developing their ideas through mind mapping, illustration, and hands-on experimentation. This year, the schools sourced discarded pool noodles from Vesturbæjarlaug, putting them to good use in building the boats. Extensive preparation went into the project, including educational field trips to deepen the students' knowledge. They visited Siglunes to learn about safety at sea and row boats, met Steinn at the Rafnar shipbuilding company, and boarded and explored the coast guard vessel Óðinn. Ahead of the big competition, students had the opportunity to test and refine their boats on a dedicated trial course on the school's rooftop.
A highly successful sailing day
The boats performed admirably on the pond by City Hall, and the beautiful weather delighted the spectators. None of the vessels sank, and most sailed farther than expected. Students watched their boats with excitement, cheering for every milestone. The atmosphere was upbeat and joyful, showcasing creativity, teamwork, and curiosity.
This year's excellent results likely stemmed from a special focus during preparation on understanding how propulsion works. Dúddi's designer clearly put that knowledge to good use, using a bubble and tubes to propel the boat forward. Submerging the tube opening was likely the key, as it allowed the force from the bubble to distribute evenly, carrying Dúddi swiftly and reliably across the finish line.
