(Rube Goldberg Edition)

Concepts learned: simple machines, sustainability, creativity, problem solving

Target age: 5-12

Participants will explore the imaginative world of Rube Goldberg machines—complex devices that perform simple tasks through a chain reaction of steps. Blending engineering, creativity, and critical thinking, kids will design and build their own fun contraptions using everyday and recycled materials. As they experiment with movement and cause-and-effect, they’ll transform functional mechanisms into dynamic, interactive creations. This workshop can be tailored to different age groups.

Concepts learned: physics, motion, force

Target age: 8-12

In this hands-on workshop, kids will design, build, and test their very own launchers! Using everyday materials, kids will explore the physics of motion, force, and trajectory as they create devices that can launch objects through the air. Through fun challenges—like knocking over targets, hitting a bullseye, or seeing whose launcher can send an object the farthest—participants will develop problem-solving skills, creativity, and a love for STEM. Get ready to tinker, test, and launch your way to an action-packed learning experience! 

Concepts learned: energy, friction

Target age: 5-10

Kids will design and build their own rubber band-powered cars using basic materials such as wood, popsicle sticks, wheels, and rubber bands. They'll learn how the potential energy stored in a rubber band can be transformed into kinetic energy to make their car move.  At the culmination of the workshop, the kids can go home with their rubber band racer.

Concepts learned: programming

Target age: 8-12

In this workshop, kids will get hands-on experience with small, programmable robots (XRPs) that they can control to perform fun tasks like drawing simple shapes or racing through a course. Through easy-to-follow instructions, participants will learn the basics of coding to manipulate the robots’ movements. They'll be able to program their mini-robots to follow specific paths and create patterns, providing an interactive introduction to the world of coding. 

Demonstration

Meet Oscar, the trashcan robot—our team mascot and a fun introduction to the world of robotics! As a remote-controlled creation of Questionable Engineering, Oscar captures kids’ curiosity with his quirky design and interactive movements. While cruising around, Oscar makes learning about robotics fun and approachable. Kids get to see automation in action and discover how technology can bring almost any object to life!