Create a Chain Reaction Machine
as big as your living room!
Create a Chain Reaction Machine as big as your living room! Discover ways of building complex and fun mechanisms using objects you have at home!
Record the first time you “turn on” your machine… it will be a moment to remember!
Look at the machines that children and adults around the world are creating and share yours too by using the hashtag
#RoundTheWorld_ChainReaction
Materials
See some suggestions:
Basic materials
- Pieces of cardboard
- String
- Rubber bands
- Wire
- Dominoes or any other wooden or rigid pieces
- Paper rolls
Tools and stationary
- Scissors
- Tape
- Glue
Objects that move
- Plastic or silicone balls
- Marbles
- Ping- pong balls
- Toys with wheels
Random objects
- Shoes
- Empty can
- Glass
- Pasta colander
- Hat
Steps
See an example of how to do the activity:
1. Imagine!
Choose a theme and transform a room in your house into a big chain reaction machine. It can be something deep and emotional like “love” (you can use heart-shaped paper or other materials), something silly like “infinite race” or even something specific like “Adventure Time” or “making a crab sandwich with SpongeBob SquarePants”. Explain the goal of the activity. Show an example and ask everyone to look for objects around the house that could contribute to building the machine in the theme you chose.
2. Create!
It’s time to get to it! With the help of your family, choose the place where you’ll build your Chain Reaction Machine. It could be a hall, a table, the stairs or even the couch. Always make sure your family is OK with you using that space for a while.
After defining the base, start placing the objects, imagining and testing how they’ll interact with each other. Remember that the goal is that, from the starting point (object 1), all objects react against the next one until the chain reaction reaches the last material. And trial and error is the whole point, so have fun with it!
3. Share!
During and after the activity, discuss your choices regarding the construction, the different ways to use an object and the different objects that can be used for the same reaction.
Talk about the effects of the Chain Reaction: what could you learn from building it?
Cool tip
If you need some inspiration before choosing a theme and getting started, look for posts under the hashtag #RoundtheWorld_ChainReaction.
If you have electronic pieces like LED lights, batteries or small motors at home, use them in your project!
Take a look at what some people have created!
#TinkeringatHome takes time ⏰
Prepping for a collaborative virtual #ChainReaction with @TinkeringStudio and friends #RoundTheWorld_ChainReaction pic.twitter.com/Zy9cYL5yH6
— Deanna Gelosi (@deannagelosi) 7 de abril de 2020
@bquentin3 & my contribution to#RoundTheWorld_ChainReaction! Creating a model to share w/ @PineyElem @Sinclair_ES students as part of our #STEM @ Home #remotelearning. Ft @pughearts alum Violet – our invaluable co-teacher!@TinkeringStudio pic.twitter.com/fkVFvcPxe9
— kimberly boyce (@kboyceq) 11 de abril de 2020
Snippets from yesterday’s #RoundTheWorld_ChainReaction build with the @TinkeringStudio team! #TinkeringAtHome #QuarantineMachine pic.twitter.com/XFrO8UgpvW
— Luigi Anzivino (@ilmungo) 8 de abril de 2020
