Engage students in exploring energy transfer as they design and build their own complex chain reactions. In this hands-on challenge, learners use dominoes as the foundation of their reaction and then engineer at least three additional mechanisms—such as levers, ramps, rolling objects, or falling structures—that keep the motion going for as long as possible. As students test, troubleshoot, and continually add complexity, they see how energy moves from one object to another and experience the excitement of turning simple materials into an elaborate, cause-and-effect machine that is always a classroom favorite.
1
Introduce the challenge
2
Design & build
3
Test it
4
Improve & share
At a glance
Grades
3rd Grade, 4th Grade, 5th Grade
Subject
Engineering
Theme
Energy
Formats
Digital Lesson, Mini Lesson
Standards
NGSS-aligned, cross-curricular STEAM
File type
PDF (print or project)
Student work examples
Student workReal student work from Chain ReactionsWhat’s includedA quick tour of the full Digital LessonWhat’s includedShows the full Digital Lesson. The Mini Lesson has the same core pages, shorter.
