Cao Cong Weighs the Elephant - Boat Building Challenge

Around two thousand years ago, weighing an elephant without advanced equipment posed a challenging problem. However, a clever solution was devised by a seven-year-old named Cao Cong. He ingeniously proposed using a boat as a medium to determine the weight of the elephant. This remarkable story has been passed down through generations in China, highlighting the brilliance of young minds even in ancient times. Incorporating this historical tale into a STEM challenge, students will be tasked with constructing a robust boat capable of supporting the weight of an elephant-shaped watering can filled with water.