ST. JOHNSBURY, Vt. (WCAX) – For some spring breakers, they plan time resting in bed or for the sun at the beach, but these students, they’re getting back to work.
“Am I going to get catapulted in the face?”
“No it will probably just fly over you.”
“Probably?”
Jamyang Dorell is a one man-third-grade-contracting-company, or as he tells me, an aspiring builder.
“I’m planning to be an engineer.” said Dorell
But he’s starting here, in the basement of the Fairbanks Museum in St. Johnsbury, joining his friends in building one of the world’s most necessary tools.
“We’re making a machine to squirt toothpaste on a toothbrush.” said Zoe Vanstraten.
The crazy contraption camp for elementary school students teaches kids how to make Rube Goldberg machines; a contraption intentionally designed to perform a simple task in an indirect and overly complicated way.
“They’re starting to think outside the box and use everyday objects in a unique way. They’re starting to think about mechanics.” said instructor, Zach Umperovtich
Umperovitch is one of the only experts in the world on Rube Goldberg machines. He’s leading the camp, and taking students out of their everyday classroom experience.
“I love for the ability for students to not have to sit on a screen. This is something that has to be hands on. It has to be here. They have to put in a lot of time and effort. And more importantly, it teaches students how to fail.” said Umperovitch
For students like Dorell, this feels nothing like learning.
“Is this like normal school? Or is it better? And if so, why?”
“Well it’s much better because you’re having fun and making stuff all the time.” said Dorell
While this class only lasts the duration of spring break. The kids say they’ll be taking what they learned here with them for the rest of their lives.
