Ultimate Chain-Reaction Machine
Ultimate Chain-Reaction Machine https://www.sciencebuddies.org/stem-activities/popsicle-stick-chain-reaction Days: 3 Mode: Teams after individual module build Take-home: Individual trigger module/photo + class machine experience
Teaching & key ideas
Key concepts: Energy transfer, cause/effect, reliability, interfaces, systems engineering.
Hook: Run a three-step chain where one unreliable transfer fails; ask students to diagnose interface.
Test / evidence: Individual module succeeds 4/5 trials; team chain completes end-to-end.
Variables to change: Ramp angle; trigger sensitivity; stored energy; handoff position.
Lesson flow
Lesson plan:
Day 1: modules
Day 2: connect/test
Day 3: refine/final run
Video:
Design Squad Chain Reaction
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vblk7RIwa4A
Safety / cleanup:
Safety glasses for stored-energy elements; soft projectiles only; establish a 'hands off during run' rule.