Playful Engineers Teaching Artist Jay Mankita presents an in-person, hands-on event in which participants design, build, test, and play with Rube Goldberg "Machines" - complicated chain reactions accomplishing simple tasks. Participants learn through demonstration, and then through self-directed play, to make kinetic 'machine' parts, exploring force and motion, scale, and cause and effect, including catapults, zip-lines, domino towers, and gravity-powered carousels. Jay brings his chain reactions kit from his Traveling Makerspace, with tracks, balls, blocks, cars, action figures, rubber bands, string, tinkertoys, k'nex, and literally thousands of dominoes. Trial & error-focused activities generate multiple opportunities for participants to learn from their success and their failures. We'll hear groans and cheers, as the machines run their course!

Recommended for ages 6 and up. Come on time for the demonstration, then build!

This program is made possible by the generous support of the Friends of the Concord Free Public Library, a patron-supported non-profit organization. Learn more and support the Friends’ work.