A Rube Goldberg machine is a contraption or apparatus that is deliberately over-engineered to perform a simple task in a complicated fashion, generally including a chain reaction. Students will work together to create a chain reaction machine that will do something awesome in the most complicated way!

During this class we will be learning about how simple machines help us do work by building catapults, pulleys, ramps, wind-powered machines, and noise makers!

During this class we will learn about the power of the sun! Some of our activities will include building a solar oven, a solar-powered car and creating solar art.

Together we will play a variety of games to strengthen code-breaking and logical thinking skills. The games can include, but are not limited to chess, Battleship, Risk, Mastermind, Rummikub, and Mancala.

In Tinkering, students explore materials, supplies, tools and concepts in an open-ended, adult-guided way. Past Tinkering sessions have involved making custom Minecraft controllers, exploring linkage mechanisms with cardboard and brads, testing out paper circuits to make light-up cards and pictures, and taking apart consumer electronics and toys to see what’s inside.