Since 1988, tens of thousands of students have competed in the annual Rube Goldberg Machine Contest® where they are challenged to build the wackiest, working Rube Goldberg Machine® that completes a common task. This year’s task was “how to turn off a light”.
A Rube Goldberg Machine® is a crazy contraption that solves a simple task in the most complicated and hilarious way possible. They are based on the cartoons of Pulitzer Prize-Winning artist, Rube Goldberg.
In the structured environment of the competitions, these “contraptions” inspire communication, problem-solving, and teamwork. They hone skills like math, physics, and chemistry. On a formal basis, this learning experience falls under the umbrella of STEAM (Science, Technology Engineering, Art, and Math) education.
Each team had a chance to win the regional contest and compete in the national contest in Indiana in April.
Da Vinci Science Center worked with all 4th grade classes in Allentown School District this school year to help them prepare to compete in the Rube Goldberg Machine Contest®. The contest for this region was hosted at the Da Vinci Science Center in February.
P: 484.664.1002
D: 3145 Hamilton Blvd. Bypass, Allentown, PA 18103
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