Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University of Newfoundland

Miniature vessels will race across the Marine Institute’s (MI) flume tank on Saturday, November 14 as high school students from around the Avalon compete in the fourth annual model boat race.

The event, which is organized and judged by MI’s faculty and staff, encourages high school students to design and construct their own operational ship models.

This year’s event will bring together eleven teams from nine high schools on the Avalon and Burin Peninsulas – up from six in the first year. Teams are judged based on the design and construction of their models.

“The model boat race is a great way for youth to learn more about Marine Engineering Systems Design and Naval Architecture,” said Ken Baker, instructor, Naval Architecture, MI. “This year, we hope that participants will not only learn more about the design and operation of marine vehicles, but the future career opportunities available to them in these areas.”

The friendly competition promotes team work in building operational ship models and encourages students to apply physics and mathematical principles.

Participating schools in this year’s event included: Queen Elizabeth Regional High School, Holy Trinity High School, Ascension Collegiate, Baltimore School, Carbonear Collegiate, Crescent Collegiate, Clarenville High School, O’Donel High School and Marystown Central High School.