Build Your Own Marble Machine

Submitted by smileadmin on Wed, 04/28/2010 - 16:51

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Description

In this activity, learners will build a ball run contraption. Marble Machines are made from familiar materials, designed to send a rolling marble through tubes and funnels, across tracks and bumpers, and into a catch at the end. The larger the variety of materials available, the more creative innovation is possible! This activity works well as an individual activity, or in groups of two.

Quick Guide

Preparation Time: 1 to 2 hours
Learning Time: 30 to 45 minutes
Estimated materials cost: Over $20 per group of students
Age Range: Ages 8 - adult
Resource Type: Activity
Language: English

Materials List (per group of students)

2-foot x 4-foot (61 cm x 122 cm) sheets of pegboard with 1/4-inch (.6 cm) holes (two pegboards per board)
4-foot (122 cm) pieces of 1.5-inch x 1.5-inch pine (3.8 cm x 3.8 cm) (two long spacers per board)
21-inch (53 cm) pieces of 1.5-inch x 1.5-inch pine (3.8 cm x 3.8 cm) (two short spacers per board)
wood glue
finishing nails
hammer
20-inch (51cm) pieces of 1-inch x 6-inch (2.5cm x 15.2 cm) pine, for the feet (two feet per board)
4 screws
screwdriver
Cut and sand 1/4-inch (.6 cm) dowels into 5-inch (13 cm) pieces
Cut 12-inch (30 cm) sections of cove molding
Cut 4-inch (10 cm) sections of cove molding
Cut 3-inch (7.6 cm) pieces of pine
assorted lengths of copper pipe, electrical conduit, or PVC
assortment of fittings to fit the pipes
funnels (2 per board)
marbles (4 per board)
masking tape (1 roll per board)
clothespins (6 per board)
cans, cups, strawberry baskets, or other things to catch the marble at the end of the run (1 per board)