Buddies-Marble Mazes

Today with our class buddies from 2F, we built marble mazes. It was really exciting, and there was a lot of innovation going on. For the materials, we used pipe cleaners, straws, and bottle caps. We glued the materials on plastic lids to create our design. It took a long time, but it was worth it. Everyone had a really fun time. We did this for about an hour. We have to wait for the glue to finish drying to try it out, so not today, but maybe later in the future.

Rube Goldberg 1

We are starting a Rube Goldberg unit in school. Do you know what a Rube Goldberg machine is? It is a machine that uses a complex way to do a simple task, such as to crack an egg or ring a doorbell. it is named after the inventor and cartoonist Rube Goldberg, who designed many of such fascinating machines.

I made a tough decision to work as an individual, since there was a possibility for working with Elliott and Ronald. I already have decided that the goal of my Rube Goldberg is to pop a balloon. My brothers are helping me by offering suggestions for more complex ways.

I already have designed part of the machine, but I will add to it further in the project. I do not have a complete materials list yet. From my research, I learned there are many possibilities for a goal. I am also working on a zip line idea in the Rube Goldberg. I also tested the last 2 steps, a cylinder pushing a truck down a ramp with a needle taped to its front to pop a balloon in a napkin holder. That sounds ridiculous, right? It is so the balloon does not move away. But it can be useful.

I hope everything goes as expected, without too many takes. We already took a slow-mo video of the popping test.