What's included
5 live meetings
7 hrs 30 mins in-class hoursHomework
This class does not require any out-of-class work. We do offer optional challenges that students can work on as an extension of what is taught in class. We provide guidance and instructions for students who are inspired to delve deeper into the topic. The purpose of these challenges is to give students the opportunity to supplement their learning with additional material that aligns with their passions and goals. Students may then integrate their learnings into their project and showcase their accomplishments to their classmates. With this approach, students can explore the subject on their own. We give students the opportunity to share what they’ve explored independently with the class.Assessment
At Connected Camps, we assess each student’s progress by engaging them in reflection of their own work and the work of their classmates. By building in Roblox and applying concepts taught in class, our students are able to solidify their learnings through hands-on application. Our counselors’ focus is to provide qualitative feedback to further each students’ individual goals and interests, and we do not use letter or number grades. In addition to our in-class reflections, our counselors also provide post-session recaps that offer a summary of what is accomplished each day. Through these summary reflections, students are able to review the material and share with their parents what they did in class. We find this approach allows kids of different interests and abilities to engage with our teachings in a way that is particularly relevant to them.Grading
includedClass Experience
PLATFORM: (Roblox Studio is free and can be obtained here: https://www.roblox.com/create. Mac and Windows ONLY! Not compatible with Ipads, Kindles, Tablets, Phones, and Game Consoles.) SKILL LEVEL: This program is meant for Advanced level players. This program requires Moderate reading comprehension, Advanced proficiency with computers, and in-depth prior experience with Roblox. Additionally, campers will need typing and hotkey proficiency, along with basic arithmetic skills. We recommend that you take our Coding Camp in Roblox or our Game Design Camp in Roblox before taking this program to ensure that you have the best experience possible. PROGRAM OVERVIEW: Are you ready to build a machine that relies on the power of gravity, physics, and a single “push”? In this class, you’ll put together a Rube Goldberg machine, a device that uses multiple chain reactions to fulfill a simple task. Like all Connected Camps programs, this class offers a project-based, exploratory classroom environment that sits at the intersection of learning and playing. After all, kids learn the most when they're having fun! The goal is simple; you must create a network of contraptions that seamlessly activate one another that leads to an end goal. Through the creation of your own machine, you’ll also discover how kinetic energy is transferred across objects with each new and varied simulation. During this 5 session camp, you will: - Design and prototype a one-of-a-kind Rube Goldberg machine in Roblox. - Create a domino effect by using simple machines and projectiles to shift the action into the next area. - Learn how to debug and when add complexity or simplify a system. - Discover what can be improved with each machine error and what we can do to strengthen future builds. Behind every successful Rube Goldberg machine is an engineer who can tweak and create contraptions that adheres to the laws of physics! Throughout this class, you’ll participate in group discussions that will enhance your understanding of physics fundamentals. You will then apply what you know to perfect your prototype, debug any malfunctions, and add complexity to the final build. By the end of this class, you will get to share your epic invention with others and witness the ingenuity of your peers’ creations! PARENTS: A Rube Goldberg machine is a STEM-based project that gives kids the opportunity to explore their creativity with logic-based engineering. Through iterations of experimentations and group discussions, students will combine inclines, levers, and pulleys to develop a machine that relies on kinetic energy. Unlike traditional lessons, your child will have the opportunity to explore many of these concepts through the 3D world of Roblox that can virtually simulate real-world physics This is a 5-session camp that balances discussion time with plenty of hands-on experience so students can cement what they’re learning and explore the topics they're interested in. We combine Roblox with education so your child can engage their passions as they learn in a positive, interest-driven environment. Please note that we will be asking for your camper's in-game username so that we can connect and play together.
Learning Goals
Day 1 - Prototyping and Iteration: As the first session, students will familiarize themselves with the Roblox Studio interface and discover the purpose of a Rube Goldberg machine. We’ll learn the significance of prototyping and utilizing iteration cycles to improve our builds.
Day 2 - Simple Machines: It’s time to get our builds to interact! Simple machines using levers and inclines make it possible for objects to connect and create a Domino Effect. We’ll be exploring the little machines that are used to create the Rube Goldberg machine.
Day 3 - Trajectories and Projectiles: To move the action from one area to the next, we implement trajectories and projectiles to our builds. Keeping gravity in mind, what kind of projectiles can we prototype into our machine to keep it going?
Day 4 - Debugging, Perfecting, and Adding Complexities: Today’s focus is all about improvement and balance. It’s a day to debug ongoing problems with the builds and determine what simple machines can be simplified or made more complex.
Day 5 - Final Run and Reflection: It’s presentation day! We’ll finish up and show off our machines! Making mistakes is a crucial part of the learning process so it’s important for us to recognize and reflect on our creations to see how we can become better engineers in the future.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
Internet safety is a top priority for us and our goal is to create a safe, connected community of learners that is moderated by our instructors. Throughout our programs we strive to educate our learners on internet safety and best practices for connecting online.
In our programs, our learners are often making friendships and connections with others in class. While we encourage positive online friendships, we think it’s important to practice these principles of internet safety:
— Do NOT ask others to connect online outside of our programs without first confirming with your parents. Our programs are a safe, moderated space for learners to engage but we can’t moderate connections outside of our classes.
— Do NOT give away personal information which includes but is not limited to: your name, address, phone number, passwords, location, email address, and parental information.
— If an individual asks for personal information, you should inform a counselor or your parent for guidance.
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Common Sense Media Resources for Parents:
https://www.commonsense.org/education/videos/keeping-games-fun-and-friendly
Keeping Games Fun and Friendly: learn how to keep your child's experiences positive and fun when communicating in online games with others.
https://www.commonsense.org/education/video/modal/4141366#
The Power of Words: help your child learn that words exchanged online are indeed powerful, and offer strategies to use when confronted with cyberbullying.
https://www.commonsense.org/education/videos/private-and-personal-information
Private and Personal Information: learn the difference between what personal things your child can safely share online and private information that should not be shared.
Supply List
For this class you will need a pair of headphones, a microphone, and Roblox Studio. Roblox Studio is free, works on both Mac and Windows and can be obtained here: https://www.roblox.com/create
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Teacher expertise and credentials
Connected Camps is a not-for-profit organization founded in 2015 with the mission to build a global online community where kids build, code, play, and learn alongside one another. Our programs are designed based on extensive research in the learning sciences. The founders and leaders of Connected Camps, Mimi Ito and Katie Salen, are professors at the University of California, Irvine, who specialize in the design of online learning experiences that are fun, social, and directly tied to academic outcomes. Learn more about the research behind Connected Camps at the Connected Learning Alliance resource site: https://clalliance.org/
One thing that makes our programs unique is our near-peer mentorship model. Our programs are led by young adults and college students, often with the help of high school volunteers. We hire counselors and coaches from top universities in computer science, game development, economics, social studies, and the arts, and train them on how to facilitate project-based learning with younger kids. Our young instructors have the same passion for technology, games, and digital making as our learners, and take on the role of instructors, as well as fellow enthusiasts and relatable role models.
The curriculum for this program was designed by a team of counselors pursuing degrees relevant to the material at hand. The learning experiences in this class are driven by these counselors’ academic expertise in the field, along with their desire to share their passion for the subject with a group of excited learners. All of Connected Camps’ curricula are vetted by the organization’s Product Manager, Matthew, who possesses a Masters in Secondary Education and a deep belief in the power of collaborative virtual learning.
Reviews
Live Group Class
$135
for 5 classes5x per week, 1 week
90 min
Completed by 24 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 11-15
3-8 learners per class