My name is Mr. Patch and I teach math at Bayard Rustin. I have been teaching here for several years and am constantly looking for opportunities to show students how math can be used in real world applications. This past fall 20 of our students earned a math credit by participating in an after school sailing program run by Hudson River Community Sailing, http://www.hudsonsailing.org/. Students learned to sail 24 foot sailboats and navigate the Hudson River. Several of these students became more interested in the water that surrounds us here in NYC and wanted to do something over the winter. The project we selected was to build a 17ft wooden kayak.We have chosen to build a cedar strip kayak. We got our plans and wood from Chesapeake Light Craft. The first 
several weeks were spent cleaning out our space and assembling the frame which we will build the boat around. This is a critical step and it is imperative to make sure everything lines up now before we start to build. In addition, safety is a major concern and we had to go over proper techniques for using our tools which include drills, saws, knives, planes and clamps.
several weeks were spent cleaning out our space and assembling the frame which we will build the boat around. This is a critical step and it is imperative to make sure everything lines up now before we start to build. In addition, safety is a major concern and we had to go over proper techniques for using our tools which include drills, saws, knives, planes and clamps.These frames, seen in the picture, determine the curvature of the boat and allow us to twist and bend the wood.
We will build the kayak in two separate pieces. We have started on the bottom and once that is complete, we will take it off of the forms and begin work on the topside and the cockpit.
No one in the group has any boat building experience, myself included. As a group we have two books on the topic and a notebook with some suggestions that came with the plans. Needless to say we have made our fair share of mistakes.
Surprisingly our mistakes somehow lead to higher confidence. Each error provides a learning opportunity and gives our group a chance to look at what went wrong and 
come up with unique creative solutions. We are all learning from each other! As our confidence rises and our nervous anxiety wanes, the pace of work has begun to pick up.
come up with unique creative solutions. We are all learning from each other! As our confidence rises and our nervous anxiety wanes, the pace of work has begun to pick up. Here you can see that we are well on our way with the cedar strips. We have started at each side and are working towards the middle.
This project is made possible by the generous support from so many different people. Friends, coworkers and strangers have all come forward to make this a reality. I want to thank each and every one of you for doing your part.
I want to encourage you all to return to our bl
og where we will update the progress. Students will be sharing their insight and successes. Spread the word, we are still in need of financial support to buy a paddle, and equipment. If you have any suggestions or would like to make a donation please e-mail me at seanpatch@gmail.com
og where we will update the progress. Students will be sharing their insight and successes. Spread the word, we are still in need of financial support to buy a paddle, and equipment. If you have any suggestions or would like to make a donation please e-mail me at seanpatch@gmail.comThanks for stopping by, see you on the water!
p.s. We are working pretty hard but we manage to keep it fun!!
This is a fabulous initiative Mr. Patch. Your math students should learn the practicality of math; unfortunately that escapes so many youngsters. Hopefully they will be inspired to write about it. Maybe if they keep a journal of events and turn them in to their English teacher they could receive credit for their writing work. Best of luck to all of you.
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