• Rube Goldberg® Machines: Inventive Engineering - Brains & Motion
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Rube Goldberg® Machines: Inventive Engineering

Rube Goldberg® Machines: Inventive Engineering

Dive into Rube Goldberg® Machines: Inventive Engineering, where creativity meets complexity!

This course invites students to design imaginative machines that turn simple tasks into awe-inspiring sequences. Embracing the spirit of Rube Goldberg, students apply physics and engineering principles to craft intricate contraptions, fostering creativity, mechanical insight, and problem-solving prowess. Through hands-on construction, students explore forces, motion, and machine mechanics, translating theoretical knowledge into practical engineering marvels. Join us for a journey of inventive thinking and engineering fun!

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  • About Rube Goldberg® Machines: Inventive Engineering

    Rube Goldberg® Machines: Inventive Engineering is designed to merge creativity with complexity, offering students a unique opportunity to build imaginative contraptions that turn simple tasks into awe-inspiring sequences. This course aligns with STEM principles and invites students to apply physics and engineering concepts through engaging, hands-on activities.

    Our curriculum encourages students to embrace the spirit of Rube Goldberg by designing intricate machines that demonstrate forces, motion, and machine mechanics. Each lesson is thoughtfully structured to foster creativity, mechanical insight, and problem-solving skills. By translating theoretical knowledge into practical engineering marvels, students embark on a journey of inventive thinking and engineering fun.

  • Focus Areas

    Each 10-week experience in Rube Goldberg® Machines: Inventive Engineering takes on an exciting new challenge, pushing the boundaries of creativity and engineering. Students will embark on imaginative projects such as popping a balloon, trapping a mouse, or pouring cereal, exploring the limitless possibilities of Rube Goldberg machines.

    Throughout the course, students will engage in hands-on activities that foster problem-solving skills, creativity, and a deep understanding of physics and engineering principles. With each new challenge, they will design and build intricate machines that turn simple tasks into complex sequences, showcasing their innovative thinking and mechanical insight. The sky is the limit for what Rube Goldberg machines can do, making each session a unique and thrilling educational journey. Join us to explore, invent, and have fun with the endless potential of Rube Goldberg engineering!

Learning Outcomes

  • Enhance Creativity

    Students will develop creative problem-solving skills by designing Rube Goldberg® machines that transform simple tasks into complex operations. This encourages innovative thinking and the application of inventive solutions to engineering challenges.

  • Discover Physics

    Students will gain a solid understanding of fundamental physics principles related to forces, motion, and the mechanics of simple machines. Through hands-on construction, students will learn how these principles can be practically applied in designing efficient and functional contraptions.

  • Expand Engineering Skills

    Students will acquire practical engineering skills in constructing Rube Goldberg® machines. This includes conceptualizing designs, applying mechanical principles, and utilizing tools and materials to bring creative visions to life, laying a foundation for future engineering endeavors.

Sample Lessons

These lessons offer a glimpse into the vibrant and dynamic world of Rube Goldberg® Machines, where students design imaginative machines that turn simple tasks into complex sequences, fostering creativity, mechanical insight, and problem-solving prowess.

Chain Reaction Creations - Building the Basics

Kick off your Rube Goldberg adventure with "Chain Reaction Creations"! Students will learn the fundamentals of designing and building Rube Goldberg machines, focusing on creating sequences of simple tasks that lead to a final goal. This lesson introduces basic physics principles and encourages creative problem-solving.

Physics in Motion - Exploring Forces and Energy

Dive into "Physics in Motion" and explore the forces and energy that power Rube Goldberg machines. Students will experiment with different types of energy, such as kinetic and potential energy, and learn how to harness these forces to create dynamic and engaging sequences in their machines.

Mechanical Marvels - Leveraging Simple Machines

Discover the power of simple machines in "Mechanical Marvels"! Students will incorporate levers, pulleys, and inclined planes into their Rube Goldberg machines, learning how these fundamental devices can make complex tasks easier and more efficient. This lesson emphasizes the practical application of engineering concepts.

Creative Contraptions - Design and Innovation

Unleash your creativity in "Creative Contraptions"! This lesson focuses on the design and innovation aspects of building Rube Goldberg machines. Students will brainstorm, sketch, and construct unique machines that showcase their imaginative ideas and problem-solving skills.

Engineering Extravaganza - Final Build and Showcase

Participate in the "Engineering Extravaganza" and showcase your Rube Goldberg machine! In this final lesson, students will put their engineering skills to the test by designing and building a complex machine that performs a series of tasks. The lesson culminates in a showcase where students present their creations and demonstrate the principles they have learned.

Course Format

Our curriculum for Rube Goldberg® Machines: Inventive Engineering blends the dynamic structure of afterschool programs with the proven 5E instructional model—Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, and Evaluate. Each phase is carefully designed to captivate and retain student interest, fostering a seamless and enriched learning experience.

Engage Phase: We spark curiosity with captivating visuals and thought-provoking prompts related to Rube Goldberg machines. This phase draws students into the subject matter by showcasing the whimsical and complex nature of these inventive contraptions.

Explore Phase: Students embark on their educational journey with clear STEM objectives, supported by an environment that encourages experimentation and learning from mistakes. They begin to brainstorm and sketch their own Rube Goldberg machine concepts, exploring the endless possibilities these machines can achieve.

Explain Phase: Foundational STEM knowledge is delivered, integrating concepts from physics, engineering, and creativity. Students learn about forces, motion, and machine mechanics, understanding how these principles apply to their Rube Goldberg projects.

Elaborate Phase: Students participate in hands-on projects, building their Rube Goldberg machines to accomplish tasks like popping a balloon, trapping a mouse, or pouring cereal. This phase reinforces their learning through practical application and critical thinking exercises, pushing them to innovate and refine their designs.

Evaluate Phase: The journey culminates in reflection, where students assess their achievements and connect their learning to real-world STEM applications. They showcase their Rube Goldberg machines, explaining the engineering principles behind their creations and reflecting on the problem-solving skills they've developed.

This structured yet flexible approach ensures every student benefits from a comprehensive, engaging, and reflective STEM educational experience, turning simple tasks into extraordinary engineering feats. Join us to explore the limitless potential of Rube Goldberg engineering and unleash your creativity!

Our Instructors Are Our Top Asset

At BAM!, our vision for innovative K-8 education extends beyond just curriculum; it encompasses the educators who bring that curriculum to life. Selecting & training our educators is a continuous and meticulous process, ensuring they are not just equipped with subject matter expertise but also the skills to inspire and connect with students on a personal level.

  • 100% adult educators recruited from prestigious universities ( No CITs at BAM!)
  • Highly refined interview and background check process 
  • Extensive training that goes well beyond curriculum & classroom management
  • Ongoing year-round opportunities to teach in our summer camp. After-school, and structured recess programs.

We celebrate your success!

Upon the conclusion of your child's program, they will be presented with an official Brains & Motion Education certification.

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