A dozen teams of Ridgefield eighth grade students displayed their complex creations in the second annual Ridgefield Rube Goldberg Expo on Wednesday, Feb. 4.
The contest challenged students to design and build a machine that can erase a chalkboard in 10 or more steps. Teams and their machines were judged on such criteria as complexity, machine flow, creativity, humor and storytelling, and achievement of a given task. Points were given to teams that embodied the whimsical spirit of late cartoonist Rube Goldberg, for whom the contest was named.
The challenge was designed to show students that science can be fun by accomplishing simple tasks in outrageous ways. Each team created a unique theme or story for its machine project. Students learned through trial and error how to design and refine their creations.
First-place winners were team Dishonored Cows: Nikki Rdzanek, Gabby Woda, Sarah DeLange. Second-place winners were team Einsteins: Lily Carnicelli, Mary Grace Buatala, Lila Cumming. Third place was a tie between team Smarticle Particles: Sarah Chupka, Carloine Patafino, Molly Egan, Jackson Tatje, and team Akinfenwa’s Children: Andrew Conte, Otis Robbe, Ruben Mendoza.
A “self operating napkin” by Rube Goldberg.
“This engineering laboratory experience has been a wonderful addition to the eighth grade science curriculum,” said event organizer Dr. Christine Rodriguez. “Teachers and students have embraced the challenge and had fun working in teams to build machines in hallways and classrooms. Continued student participation in the Rube Goldberg Expo has been a testament to the inspiration and enthusiasm instilled by the middle school science team.”
“Fostering creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and communication skills, the Rube Goldberg Challenge represents the essential, not just nice-to-have, elements of today’s teaching and learning,” Assistant Superintendent Kim Beck said.
The Ridgefield Education Foundation sponsors this event.
“The Ridgefield Education Foundation was excited to collaborate with Ridgefield Public Schools to bring a project that hones our students’ 21st-Century skills,” Ridgefield Education Foundation President Avery Costigan said. “It was inspiring to see them in action!”
For more information about or to donate to the education foundation, a nonprofit that supports innovative initiatives, go to ridgefieldeducationfoundation.org
