These are Chinese Floating Lantern. It is fun to google and learn the history of floating lanterns in many cultures. Science and math insure the buoyancy of the float. It is also fun to learn the meaning of the riddles and to learn the art of calligraphy. #MakeItFloat Update 7/17/15 The Science behind the lantern. Buoyancy and Archimedes http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/videos/physics.html The Science behind this project is more about light and how it diffuses in the different shades. It is also a great time to talk about the different frequencies of light and that is why we get different colors observable from each shade. The graphic above is courtesy of http://www.livescience.com/32559-why-do-we-see-in-color.html The science of light is critical to research in eye health. Even the Mantis Shrimp gets to take part. http://www.gizmag.com/mantis-shrimp-eyes-cancer-camera/34049/ I think social science is also a key category in this build. The art and history of Chinese Calligraphy is amazing and very fun to learn about. http://afe.easia.columbia.edu/special/china_1000bce_calligraphy.htm Update 7/15/15 I have added a V2 of the base that is rounder and may be a little easier for some to print. If you print the base at 10% infill it is strong enough and floats well. It is better to have 3 perimeters to make sure that it is watertight.