Arthur Middleton Elementary School in Waldorf, Maryland, will host a new after-school program focused on applied physics, made possible by a $4,000 micro-grant awarded to Pure Play Every Day through the United Way of Southern Maryland’s Community Impact Awards program.
The 10-session initiative runs Monday, April 13, through Friday, April 24, where students will design and construct Rube Goldberg Machines—intricate, multi-step chain-reaction devices that perform simple tasks in elaborate ways. Participants will apply core physics principles including force, motion, gravity, and energy transfer through practical, hands-on building and testing.
The program extends beyond science education by fostering key life skills. Collaboration, persistence, critical thinking, and resilience emerge as students iterate on designs, troubleshoot failures, and refine their creations. This approach underscores that trial and error drives discovery and builds confidence.
Patty Stine, executive director of Pure Play Every Day, highlighted the program’s broader value. “This program shows students that learning can be hands-on, creative, and empowering,” she said. “As they build their Rube Goldberg Machines, they’re not just exploring physics—they’re developing problem-solving skills, resilience, and confidence that will benefit them far beyond the classroom.”
Pure Play Every Day, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Southern Maryland, centers its mission on connecting people through play to spark creativity, learning, and community ties. The organization has delivered similar programming successfully before, including an applied physics curriculum at the College of Southern Maryland for homeschooled students, where it drew positive responses for high engagement and enthusiasm.
The grant supports expanded access to enriching, play-based education in Charles County, aligning with efforts to blend fun with foundational STEM concepts in an after-school setting. Arthur Middleton Elementary, part of Charles County Public Schools, serves students in the Waldorf area, providing a venue for this targeted enrichment opportunity.
This initiative arrives as Southern Maryland communities seek innovative ways to engage young learners in science while cultivating perseverance and teamwork. By leveraging Rube Goldberg concepts—named after the cartoonist known for overly complex contraptions—the program transforms abstract physics into tangible, memorable projects that encourage experimentation and group effort.
Pure Play Every Day extends its play-focused approach to various age groups and settings, from children to adults, emphasizing unstructured and directed activities that promote well-being, innovation, and social bonds.