Excel Academics - Crazy Contraptions
This class introduces students to the world of physics, including force, motion, and work. We will introduce each of the six simple machines and how they can be used in Rube Goldberg contraptions - inclined planes, levers, wheels, axles, wedges, screws, and pulleys. Students will learn the vocabulary of the engineering world as they build increasingly complex contraptions that do things like unscrew a lid, turn the page of a book, and pop a balloon. We will explore endless creative options with toppling dominoes, rolling marbles, springing catapults, and whizzing ziplines as we learn about Rube Goldberg and what made his creations so fascinating.
Ages:
9-14
Requirements:
Ability to follow directions.
Skills:
Physics and Engineering the fun way! We will learn about force, friction, chain reactions, and more! We'll build machines that swoop, spin, stack, and swivel as we play with the 6 simple machines and learn their vocabulary.
Format:
Each class will begin with a discussion and some new vocabulary. Each week we will focus on a new simple machine. We'll watch some short videos of Goldberg type contraptions and then use our teamwork skills to build our own machines.
Class Registration:
Creation Callings