Library Workshop Review: Electric Paddleboat

Our June 2026 Library Workshop featured the exciting Electric Paddleboat project, where participants assembled a laser-cut wooden hull, wired up a small motor, attached paddle wheels, and then tested their boats on water.

How the paddleboat works

The electric paddleboat uses a battery to supply electrical energy to a small motor. The motor converts this electrical energy into rotational motion, which turns the paddle wheels. As the paddle wheels push water backwards, an equal and opposite force pushes the boat forwards, demonstrating Newton’s Third Law of Motion. Participants also explored several important STEM concepts, including electrical circuits, energy conversion (electrical energy to kinetic energy), friction and water resistance, and how changes in paddle wheel design can affect the speed and efficiency of the boat.

Preparation challenge

One of the biggest challenges during the preparation stage was ensuring that all of the laser-cut wooden parts fitted together smoothly. During our trial build, we discovered that slight variations in the laser-cutting process caused some paddle wheel pieces to be either too tight or too loose. To address this, our team adjusted the cutting settings and prepared a small number of spare components so that participants could complete their boats successfully on the day.

On the day

The workshop had an excellent turnout, with all available places filled and a waiting list of interested participants. Participants were highly engaged throughout the session, particularly during the motor-wiring stage and the final water-testing activity. The atmosphere was energetic and collaborative, with older children helping younger children troubleshoot their paddle wheels and motor connections. The room was filled with excitement as the boats began moving across the water, and many students enthusiastically compared the speed and performance of their designs.

Participant feedback

Year 3 student - “I liked putting the paddle wheels on and watching my boat move by itself. It was the first time I made something with a motor!”

Year 5 student - “The workshop was really fun because we got to build a real electric boat. I learned how the motor and battery worked together, and I enjoyed testing different paddle wheel designs to make the boat go faster.”