At some point in Andover High School's Exploring Engineering course, students are challenged to design and construct what is commonly known as a Rube Goldberg machine, a complex device designed to do a relatively simple task. Requirements for specific design features such as energy conversions, time to complete a singe cycle, types of materials used, and other design parameters must be met while the rest is left completely to the imagination.
When this year's batch of machines were completed in physics teacher Cynthea Givens' class, she invited some special guests to come an view the whimsical devices. Children form the West Parish Congregational Church daycare center visited the class to try out the devices and offer their feedback to the high school designers.
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| Junior engineers observe and try out AHS engineering students' inventions |
The event was definitely not a spectator sport. After spending time with the high school students talking about designing and building these machines, the West Parish children returned to their center and tried building some of their own machines.
A number of the high school students were impressed by the imaginative ideas of their young visitors. A great time was had by all!
