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Cardboard Arcade Prototype

Students will build a simple cardboard pinball machine using a marble, launcher, and recycled materials. The goal is to make the marble move, bounce, and hit targets while learning about force, motion, gravity, friction, and simple machines.

Elementary

Engineering & user experience

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Project Details

Theme

December | Product Design

Messy Level

1

Suggested Location

Class or lab

Prep & Classroom Structure

  • Prepare the cardboard base.

  • Add a slight tilt using a tube or bottle underneath.

  • Set out one marble and one launcher per group.

  • Put recycled materials in easy-to-reach bins.

  • Pre-cut some cardboard strips to save time.


Print out a set of pages 6-8 per group:



Materials

  • Cardboard or pizza box

  • Marble

  • Clothespin + craft stick for launcher

  • Tape or glue

  • Craft sticks

  • Cardboard scraps

  • Tubes, cups, bottle caps, or other recyclables

  • Markers for decorating

Project Instructions

  • Draw a quick plan.

  • Build a launcher for the marble.

  • Add 3–5 obstacles such as ramps, bumpers, tunnels, walls, or scoring pockets.

  • Launch the marble.

  • Watch where it goes.

  • Move or change obstacles to improve the game.

  • Test again.

Class Video

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