Buoyancy, balance, and a bit of Chagrin innovation made a splash in Brooke Anderson’s ninth-grade physical science class this week at Chagrin Falls High School.
Students were challenged to achieve neutral buoyancy using custom, 3D-printed scuba divers — each one uniquely designed and printed by Matt Volk, M.S. IT, Creation Lab Curriculum & Maker Space Coach, in the Innovation Center. Because every diver had a different weight distribution, no two experiments were the same. Using hot glue and creative materials like beads, hardware, popsicle sticks, and balloons, students adjusted their designs to find that perfect point where the diver neither sank nor floated. Creation Lab Implementer of Technology David Kimbell was instrumental in helping the students use all the machinery.
To kick off the lesson, Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Penczarski, a certified scuba diver with more than 500 dives, shared real-world insights about buoyancy and equilibrium. “How do you float above a reef without touching it?” she asked — sparking curiosity and scientific thinking before the hands-on exploration began.
The engaging activity showcased how thoughtful teaching and curious minds come together to make learning meaningful, authentic, and fun.
