LLCC will host Rube Goldberg Competition for fifth graders

“Outlandish machines” designed by area fifth graders will be on display as LLCC hosts the 17th annual Springfield Area Fifth Grade Rube Goldberg Competition on Saturday, March 2. The event will take place from 9 a.m. to approximately 3 p.m. in the Student Union. There is no admission fee, and the public is invited to attend.

This year’s competition involves building a Rube Goldberg that must insert and remove a piece of toast from a toaster through at least 10 different steps. A Rube Goldberg device, such as the board game “Mousetrap,” is an elaborate apparatus designed to complete a certain task through a number of complex steps.

Area fifth graders are currently developing their own unique Rube Goldberg devices for this year’s competition. They receive assistance from engineer volunteers who visit classes and provide instruction on machines and engineering in general, along with suggestions for their Rube Goldberg device. The purpose of this event is to introduce children to the idea of pursuing a career in engineering or a STEM-related field.

This year, there will be teams participating from the following schools: Black Hawk Elementary, Graham Elementary, Morrisonville Elementary, Our Savior Lutheran, Riverton Middle, Rochester Intermediate, Southern View Elementary, Springfield Christian, Trinity Lutheran, and Beckemeyer Elementary School in Hillsboro.

Last year’s task entailed building a Rube Goldberg that would “move a rocket to a launch pad.” Sarah Eyth’s fifth grade class from Our Savior Lutheran, with engineer volunteers Marty Maletich and Phil Raftis from HLR Engineering, took home the top prize locally and at the Engineering Open House at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

In the news

LLCC Baseball Coach and Athletic Director Ron Riggle talked with Sports Radio 1450 about his 700th win and upcoming retirement.

English Professor John Paul Jaramillo was a guest judge for the Springfield  Area Arts Council’s Poetry Out Loud competition.

In this week’s Epicuriosity 101 column for the Springfield State Journal-Register, Jay Kitterman, culinary consultant, unpacks the benefits of tuna.

In the News

Kyla Kruse, chief communications officer, was interviewed by WICS Newschannel 20 on Monday, Feb. 19. WICS covered LLCC’s Open House, which drew more than 300 guests. Visitors spoke with faculty and staff, viewed exhibits, toured select areas of campus, learned about the basics of college and choosing a major, and could apply for admission.

In the News

Dr. Laurel Bretz, assistant vice president of continuing, corporate and professional education was a guest on WTAX this morning to discuss LLCC’s digital literacy courses for older adults. Read more about these ongoing classes being held at LLCC-Medical District.

In this week’s Epicuriosity 101 column for the State Journal-Register, Chef Specialist Joshua Dineen celebrates the love of chocolate in honor of Valentine’s week.

In the news

Dee Krueger, director, LLCC-Taylorville, was interviewed by WTIM Monday, Feb. 12, about LLCC’s upcoming open house events taking place on Monday, Feb. 19, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Prospective students interested in starting or restarting college or training for a new career are invited.

LLCC’s Lincoln Lecture was covered by WICS yesterday. Jacob K. Friefeld spoke to an audience of approximately 50 in-person and 17 Zoom attendees on “Abraham Lincoln and the Making of the American West.”

In the News

Michelle Burger, scholarship program and alumni services coordinator, was interviewed by the Taylorville Breeze Friday about the LLCC Foundation scholarship application and how to apply. Applications for the 2024-25 academic year are due Feb. 15.

In the news

Lisa Clanton, student success coach and African-American History Month committee co-chair, was interviewed by WICS on Wednesday about upcoming LLCC events for African-American History Month including Tuesday’s event, “Young, Gifted & Black.”

In the News: Dr. Charlotte Warren

In her Illinois Times essay, “Explore opportunities for your future,” Dr. Charlotte Warren discusses the upcoming LLCC Open House on Feb. 19 and how it is a great way to discover available learning and career opportunities and an exciting step in the journey to reach one’s goals. “Lincoln Land Community College helps many students explore options and take that first step toward reaching their goals — whether a student is looking for hands-on career training, for one specific class or to earn an associate degree that transfers to a four-year university.”