Milk jug regatta made first successful launch June 3
By Jason Arndt
Staff Writer
Lakewood students in Julie Apriesnig’s 8th-grade science class puts Archimedes Principle to the ultimate test June 3 along the shoreline of Lance Park, despite early skepticism, according to the teacher.
The physics principle theorizes that an upward buoyant force which is exerted on a body immersed in fluid, either fully or partially submerged, is equal to the weight of fluid.
The test coined Milk Jug Regatta included assembly of several milk jugs and a piece of plywood, donated by Alexander Lumber of Twin Lakes, she said.
“They loved it, they didn’t think it would work at all,” Apriesnig said. “It was really educational for them.”
She developed the idea after spending several summers in Northern Wisconsin, attending a Fireman’s Festival in Arbor Vitae, where they do the activity annually.
Apriesnig believed the educational opportunity would be beneficial, stressing physics, engineering and forces of motion.
Student Sean O’Dowd, one of 28 on the water, stated the project turned out to be an exciting opportunity.
“When she told me about it, I started thinking it would be a lot of fun if we could pull it off,” O’Dowd said. “I started saving my milk jugs.”
However, when she first introduced it to the class about a month ago, O’Dowd and his classmates did not think it would be possible.
“They were skeptical because they didn’t think milk jugs would ever be able to float,” he said. “I was unsure of how well the boats would float, but I think they were working pretty well and was exciting.”
After a week of research, the students assembled the structures, with Friday as the anticipated test date.
Apriesnig explained the students’ first impression when placing them in the water.
“When they first put them in the water, they were like ‘They float!” she said.
The project not only taught students lessons about science, but how to work together, she added.
“It is about working as a team,” she stated.