TERM 2 STEM Challenge

A fun experimental day creating Rube Goldberg machines to perform a simple task, like popping a balloon!

What is a Rube Goldberg machine? Named after the American cartoonist, a Rube Goldberg machine is a chain reaction–type machine or contraption intentionally designed to perform a simple task in a comically overcomplicated way.

Not just child’s play! M.I.T. holds an annual Rube Goldberg competition. Parents are welcome to participate along with their students.

Search your house and garage and bring a box with common household recyclables (cardboard tubes, cereal boxes, plastic bottles), items that roll or move (marbles, toy cars, balls), building components (dominoes, blocks, Lego), securing materials (tape, string, rubber bands), and miscellaneous items, such as wire, magnets, foil, gutters or ramps, rulers, small weights, funnels, cups, spoons, popsicle sticks, balloons, mini action figures, dice, batteries, beads, books, etc, etc!

We’ll provide the challenge on the day, and your task is to create as outlandish (but successful!) a machine as you can manage.

Younger children can help build a chain reaction exploding popsicle stick bomb.

For some fun, and inspiration, check out Joseph’s Machines at https://www.youtube.com/@JosephsMachines

FREE for Inc members, or $5 a head non-Inc members.