The 3rd Annual Recycle Regatta is now on through March 31, 2022! Students in grades K-12 are invited to compete in this free virtual regatta. First, build a model sailboat out of recycled and repurposed materials. Then, race your boat to victory while learning all about engineering, mathematics, sailing, buoyancy, and stewardship. Classrooms, boating centers, families, and all community organizations are encouraged to take on the challenge!

Competition Guidelines for all fleets:

• Start by making a blueprint on a scrap piece of paper. Engineers always plan before starting to build! This can be a drawing, list of materials, or a write-up of what you plan to do. Your sailboat submission should be small-scale (less than 40 cm long) and uncrewed.

• Gather materials (safely!) that are recycled or discarded. We do not want you to buy materials.

• Set up your testing bin, and be sure to note the size, as your boat should fit inside your testing bin and have at least 25 cm left to move. If it is too large, it will be difficult to calculate speed.

• Build a prototype, you might end up changing your design and that’s perfectly okay.

• Test your design! See how the boat moves, floats, and sails! Does it stay upright? Does it float? If not, change your design until you have the perfect vessel!

• Test and document your speed for at least 3 trials (see submission form on website and Data Form). To test speed, place your boat in testing bin with water and markers for a distance (try 1 foot with a ruler). Then create “wind” using your breath by blowing on your boat or using a reusable straw. Document how much time it takes to travel that distance. Submit your best 3 trials on the entry form. Use the formula Speed = Distance/Time to calculate speed. All speed calculations should be done in cm/second. Write down your results.

• Improve your design based on the testing process and start the testing process again! Can you make your boat go faster by changing the design?

Submit your entry form by MARCH 31 on the website. Each fleet will have two winners – Most Seaworthy (Fastest) and Most Creative. Submissions will be accepted from February 15-March 31.

Please see website for teacher toolkit, building requirements, safety requirements, instructions on calculating speed, online entry form, educational resources, examples of past winners, and more. 

The Recycle Regatta is a partnership program hosted by New England Science and Sailing Foundation, Educational Passages, and the North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA).

Good luck and fair winds to all!