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Tinkering at Home: Marble Machines

Join Science World educators and teachers across B.C. for topics relevant to STEAM teaching and learning.

About this Event

Marble Machines are powered by gravity, and can transport a marble or small ball to the ground in an interesting way! In this workshop, find out how to use everyday materials to make Marble Machine. Encourage learners to design, build, and test their contraption, with the goal of either creating a slow-travelling machine for the marble, or to fulfill a goal of their own choosing, such as landing in a cup or knocking over a small tower. Explore challenges and prompts appropriate to the experience level of the group. What will your learners’ Marble Machines look like?

(Recommended for teachers of grades 3–6)

What is “tinkering”?

Tinkering is mindful messing about with tools and materials, with the goal of finding out their possibilities and limitations. When we tinker, we learn about scientific topics, make new things from existing parts, solve problems, and learn by making mistakes.

Suggested materials for the session:

  • A small ball or marble
  • Tape
  • Paper
  • Cardboard
  • Scissors
  • Tubes (toilet paper or paper towel rolls)
  • Assorted materials – e.g. binder clips, books, string, elastic bands, or clothespins
  • Vertical wall or space that you can start building a Marble Machine

This session will be held on Zoom. Meeting details will be emailed upon registration.

This program is a part of Tech-Up, Science World's initiative to enhance existing programs to include coding and digital literacy.

About the sticker

Survivors

Artist: Jeff Kulak

Jeff is a senior graphic designer at Science World. His illustration work has been published in the Walrus, The National Post, Reader’s Digest and Chickadee Magazine. He loves to make music, ride bikes, and spend time in the forest.

About the sticker

Egg BB

Artist: Jeff Kulak

Jeff is a senior graphic designer at Science World. His illustration work has been published in the Walrus, The National Post, Reader’s Digest and Chickadee Magazine. He loves to make music, ride bikes, and spend time in the forest.

About the sticker

Comet Crisp

Artist: Jeff Kulak

Jeff is a senior graphic designer at Science World. His illustration work has been published in the Walrus, The National Post, Reader’s Digest and Chickadee Magazine. He loves to make music, ride bikes, and spend time in the forest.

About the sticker

T-Rex and Baby

Artist: Michelle Yong

Michelle is a designer with a focus on creating joyful digital experiences! She enjoys exploring the potential forms that an idea can express itself in and helping then take shape.

About the sticker

Buddy the T-Rex

Artist: Michelle Yong

Michelle is a designer with a focus on creating joyful digital experiences! She enjoys exploring the potential forms that an idea can express itself in and helping then take shape.

About the sticker

Geodessy

Artist: Michelle Yong

Michelle is a designer with a focus on creating joyful digital experiences! She enjoys exploring the potential forms that an idea can express itself in and helping then take shape.

About the sticker

Science Buddies

Artist: Ty Dale

From Canada, Ty was born in Vancouver, British Columbia in 1993. From his chaotic workspace he draws in several different illustrative styles with thick outlines, bold colours and quirky-child like drawings. Ty distils the world around him into its basic geometry, prompting us to look at the mundane in a different way.

About the sticker

Western Dinosaur

Artist: Ty Dale

From Canada, Ty was born in Vancouver, British Columbia in 1993. From his chaotic workspace he draws in several different illustrative styles with thick outlines, bold colours and quirky-child like drawings. Ty distils the world around him into its basic geometry, prompting us to look at the mundane in a different way.

About the sticker

Time-Travel T-Rex

Artist: Ty Dale

From Canada, Ty was born in Vancouver, British Columbia in 1993. From his chaotic workspace he draws in several different illustrative styles with thick outlines, bold colours and quirky-child like drawings. Ty distils the world around him into its basic geometry, prompting us to look at the mundane in a different way.