In Maker Makey: Machines, your students will experiment with simple and complex machines, all made from recycled or reused materials. Students will collaborate to create a complex machine known as a Rube Goldberg Machine. The purpose of a Rube Goldberg Machine is to achieve a simple outcome (such as kicking a football through the goals) via a series of deliberately complex steps. Each step triggers another to produce a domino effect. We add another level of complexity by incorporating Makey Makeys into the machine.

Maker Makey: Machines supports lessons and learning through the students learning, or consolidating, a range of skills, including but not limited to:

• Exploring how to manipulate materials using a range of tools, equipment and techniques to create movement.
• Creating individual pieces of work that contribute to a group task.
• Exploring and manipulating materials to physically change them to suit a particular purpose.
• Exploring how movement can be started by combining materials and using forces.
• Exploring how forces affect the behaviour of objects pushing, pulling and other actions.
• Adding to, experimenting with and expanding the functionality of a digital system with Makey Makey.
• Demonstrating that an on/off state in a circuit can represent the digits one and zero.
• Recognising the need for a complete circuit to allow the flow of electricity.
• Investigating different electrical conductors and insulators.

Important Information & Requirements

• Half day, full day and weekly sessions available.
• Group sizes are limited to a maximum of 40 students.
• We can run a maximum of two sessions a day.
• The ideal location for this incursion is a large indoor area.
• We require access to the incursion location 30-60 minutes before the start time to begin setting up.
• Teachers are responsible for supervision of students at all times.

Suitability: Grades 5-6

Number of students: Max 50

Duration: Half Day, Full Day, or Weekly sessions

2024 Pricing^ (Inc. Materials): From $400 + GST

^Minimum booking, travel fees may apply.