Rube Goldberg Machines
Cedar Creek Ranch
Quarter 2 is all about ENGINEERING! In STEM, we are learning about simple machines, which include the wheel and axle, pulley, inclined plane, wedge, screw, and lever. The older students are building model cars and pinball machines. We are learning about Newton’s Laws of Motion and measuring force using spring scales. The younger students are helping their baker elf friends by pushing, pulling and lifting ingredients using simple machines. We are also planning to bake cookies for the holidays. At the end of the quarter, we will put our knowledge of simple machines to the test by building a Rube Goldberg machine. Rube Goldberg was a cartoonist famous for drawing overly-complicated and silly contraptions to complete simple, everyday tasks.
Out in the woods, students have been working together to build a longhouse, inspired by the Ho-Chunk dwelling called a ciiporoke (chee-POE-doe-kay). Students have been cutting down tree saplings and digging holes for the main supports of the longhouse. The trees have been stripped of their branches and bent to form arches. The arches are lashed together using twine and will eventually be covered with tarps. When complete, this longhouse will measure 14 feet by 40 feet and will include a wood stove for heat.
Mark your calendars! Winter Fest will be held at Cedar Creek Ranch during the evening of Friday, February 9th.
Student Built Bridge over Cedar Creek
Student Built Bridge over Cedar Creek