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 Making a Scale Model of Noah's Ark - This tells how to make a scale model of Noah's Ark, for teaching and demonstration purposes. Useful for teaching all ages about the Genesis Flood story.

Noah's Ark

Actual Dimensions of the Ark
Height: 30 cubits; Width: 50 cubits; Length: 300 cubits

These dimensions were very special; these unique proportions made the Ark uniquely stable in the water. It would have been almost impossible to capsize. If you build a scale model the kids can test it in the water and see for themself how stable it is. God knew what He was doing, even if Noah didn't. These dimensions made the Ark in the proportions of 30:5:3, Length:Width:Height. The top piece was probably a skylight and served for ventilation, with its sides open. The above drawing is based on the Bible and on eyewitness accounts from people through history who have seen it on the mountains of Ararat. There were two cubits in use in ancient times and so there is some uncertainty of the exact size. If the 17.5 inch cubit were used the Ark would be 437 ft X 73 ft X 44 ft. If the longer cubit were used (20.6 inches), the Ark would be about 517 ft X 86 ft X 51 ft in size. It would be possible to fit at least 24 standard-sized mobile homes (6 long and 4 wide) on each deck. Another way to describe it is that the total deck area of the Ark is like 20 college basketball courts.
 

Making A SCALE Model

You will need a piece for the main body of the Ark and a second smaller, narrower piece for the top. A piece of 2X4 wood will make an Ark about a foot and a half long. If you want a smaller model, shop around at a lumber store, with a ruler and calculator in hand so you can check the proportions. You must shop for wood with the proper width to height ratio; you can always cut the wood off the proper length-IF the width and height are correct first. If you have a table saw available to you, a piece of wood could be cut lengthwise to give the proper proportions.
 

Teaching Creation Concepts--Noah's Ark

If you shop around you may be able to find wood which comes reasonablly close to the proper proportions of width to height. If so, the wood can be pre-cut before the children's program and the children can then glue or nail the two pieces together and perhaps stain or paint them at the meeting so that each child can take home their own model. This is bound to teach the parents as well.

Important lessons to make the Flood story relevant are the following:
 

A. The God of the Bible is a God who judges sin--He did something about evil in the world in the past and He says He will again when Jesus Christ returns.
 

B. The God of the Bible is the God of all people.  He created us all and so he had the right to judge.  God started over with Noah's family so there would be less evil in the world.
 

C. God's word is true and completely trustworthy, therefore we can count on His promises today.

D. The world was a nicer place to live before the Flood.  This means the Flood is the reason we have bad weather today.  The Flood changed the Earth.   


Another possible activity for kids is to obtain some wide roll paper, cut off three large strips of it and, after teaching the story, split the children into three groups and have each group plan where to put all the animals, food, and living quarters in the Ark. Each paper represents one deck of the Ark.

Another activity that both adults and kids enjoy is to find an open grassy area or a field where you can measure off the dimensions of the Ark and mark the four corners with something.  If possible, you may be able to find a pole of some kind that would be about the right height and it could be used for one of the four corners.  Have people walk around the entire outside perimeter of the marked off Ark.  This makes an impression on people because they realize how really large the Ark was.