Chain Reaction Contraptions...Build It...Test It...Revise It!

We decided that just learning the different types of Simple Machines was not enough. Actually building Simple Machines and seeing them in action is much more exciting! Better yet, why not put Simple Machines together to create a chain reaction contraption that gets a job done? It sounds a lot easier than it really is! We've been working hard for the past 2 weeks to create our contraptions using items you find around your house: paper towel tubes, fish sinkers, string, plastic spoons, corks, marbles, clothes pins, dominoes, toy cars, and yogurt cups. We had to meet 4 basic guidelines:


1. Your machine must begin and end with the pull of a string.


2. Your machine must have at least 5 Simple machines of 3 different types.


3. Your completed contraption should not be any taller than 1 1/2 feet.


4. The chain reaction must be repeatable and reasonably reliable.


Here's a look at our Week One progress...