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Lab Liftoff: Mega Machines
31st July 2018, 10:00 am - 2nd August 2018, 4:00 pm
You’re invited to…Lab Liftoff: Mega Machines
Mega Machines is a STEAM skills and design workshop for young inventors aged 8-12 years and over with the iOi and MakerClub – the world’s Number 1 Young Inventors’ Club!
From design to electronics, mechanics to programming, you’ll be designing, experimenting, prototyping and programming multiple mechanisms to carry out tasks in a creative and and whacky way. By the end of the week, each team will have designed and prototyped one big Mega Machine!
What can I expect at Lab Liftoff: Mega Machines
At this three-day summer workshop, children will learn about machines, electronics and programming by creating a a crazy Rube Goldberg Machine. And what’s that? Well, watch the largest Rube Goldberg Machine in action here on Youtube, turning on some Christmas lights. Feeling hungry? How about using a Rube Goldberg machine to make you breakfast? You can make them as complicated as you like, the bigger the more mega, it’s all about making, electronics and chain reactions to perform a task.
See a Mega Machines workshop with MakerClub in action:
Day one: Imagination and Design
- What is a Rube Goldberg Machine? Children will learn who Rube Goldberg is and see examples of mad machines to fire up their imaginations
- Consider what makes a good experiment and carry out an investigation into the gradient of slopes
- Complete a research task in groups to find out how to build an example of a simple machine and present it back
- Before the day ends, children will be introduced to the design process so that they can begin drawing their designs for their mad machines
Day two: Electronics and Prototyping
- The first half of day two will introduce children to the MakerClub microcontroller and platform. They will consider what components are available and learn to program them using block based programming
- Children will return to their designs and consider how they can incorporate electronics. They will then start prototyping using a range of craft materials and electronics components.
Day three: Iteration and Presentation
- Following a recap on the design process and working scientifically, machines testing and improving begins
- Children will present their machines to each other. They will reflect on what they have learnt over the week and what they would do if they had more time to work on their machine.
By the end of the workshop, children will:
- Understand a range of simple machines and how they work
- Use the MakerClub platform and hardware
- Work scientifically to carry out experiment
- Use the design process to prototype and iterate mechanisms
- Make mechanisms move using electronics and programming
- Work collaboratively in teams to solve problems creatively
- Be knowledgeable about machines, electronics and programming
- Be comfortable experimenting with electronics and coding
When is Lab Liftoff: Mega Machines
This is a three-day activity camp at the Imagination Lab. There are two workshops available to book, the first workshop is 24-26 July and the second workshop is 31 July – 2 August. Select the start date of the camp you want to book in the booking form below. The days are 10am – 4pm. Children are required to attend all three days of the camp.
Who is Lab Liftoff: Mega Machines for and how much does it cost?
This activity camp is suitable for children aged 8-12 years old and is £180 for the three days. Children do not need to be accompanied but must be dropped off and picked up by an adult or carer at the beginning and the end of each day. All participants must bring a packed lunch.
If you have further questions about the camp, please email: imaginationlab@ioi.london