Discuss (1 of 2):
Look at the "Wonder" column of your class See-Think-Wonder chart. Have any questions been answered by this Mystery?
Discuss (2 of 2):
Imagine Ok Go asked you to add on to their Rube Goldberg machine. What would you add?
Explain how energy is transferred in your new step.
Use a plastic egg, a roll of tape, a toy car, a rubber ball, or even a marker.
A binder becomes a ramp when a falling domino yanks out the support that keeps it level.
In this lesson, students learn about storing, releasing, and transferring energy. In the activity, Build a Chain Reaction (Part II), students complete the chain-reaction machine they started building in the previous lesson.
Preview activityChain-Reaction Starter Kit printout | 1 per student |
Pop-Up Sign printout | 1 per student |
Hardcover Books
|
3 books per pair |
Lever from Previous Lesson
|
1 built lever per pair |
Markers
|
1 marker per pair |
Ramp from Previous Lesson
|
1 built ramp per pair |
Scissors
|
1 pair per pair |
Dixie Cups (3 oz)
|
1 cup per pair |
File Folder Labels (Stickers)
We prefer stickers because they are easier to distribute in a classroom.
Or pieces of tape.
|
Details
4 labels per pair
|
Index Cards (3x5)
|
1 card per pair |
Paper Clips (Jumbo)
Double the quantity if using normal-sized paper clips (do not use tiny).
|
Details
4 clips per pair
|
Small Marbles
1/2" marbles will also work.
|
Details
1 marble per pair
|
We suggest students work in pairs. Homeschool students can work on their own.
To complete this lesson, students will need the ramps and levers they built in the previous lesson.
Students can also add a variety of materials to extend their chain-reaction machines. You can ask them to bring things in, or gather some basic materials to keep in the classroom. See the list below for items we recommend having on hand. Or, for more ideas, watch "Inspiration for Chain Reaction Builders" in Extensions before you start this activity to see some possibilities.
Each Chain Reaction Machine will take up several feet. Each student or group of students will need a table or several desks pushed together as a work space.
Marbles are very fun, but can be very distracting! We suggest waiting to distribute marbles to students until Step 14 of the activity.
Student slideshow: English | Spanish
Teacher printout: English & Spanish
In this reading, students learn how a rubber band-powered toy airplane helped inspire other early flying machines.
In this reading, students learn how different types of energy occur during a roller coaster ride.
In this reading, students learn what a Rube Goldberg machine is.
This video will show you that ramps, rolling balls, and falling sticks can do some amazing tricks. Here are things to watch for and talk about.
Does this video give you ideas for your own chain reaction?
Here are some images and short videos from Pat to get you thinking.
What ideas do you have for using everyday objects in your chain reaction?
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