The Badge Archive

Fulfills Step 5 of GSUSA Senior Cybersecurity Basics badge requirements.

Info Needed for the badge requirements: Minimization reduces risks, such as removing unnecessary features or deleting unused apps to limit entry points for hackers. Simplicity in design makes products easier to use and problems easier to fix, improving reliability and security. While Rube Goldberg Machines are fun to create and watch, they prioritize complexity over efficiency.

Items Needed

• 1 button or target object (e.g., a large physical button, a small object symbolizing the snooze button, a toy button, or an alarm with a snooze button)
• String or yarn
• Dominoes or small blocks (25–50 pieces)
• A small ball (e.g., marble, ping pong ball)
• Paper towel or toilet paper tubes (4–6 tubes)
• Tape
• Scissors
• Ramp materials (e.g., cardboard, books, or boxes)
• (Optional) Additional materials like rulers, small pulleys, toy cars, or other objects to create variety in the steps

Instructions

1. Scouts brainstorm individually or in teams to design a Rube Goldberg machine that will push a “snooze button” (symbolized by the chosen button or target object).
2. Scouts sketch their ideas first to map out the steps in the chain reaction.
3. Teams begin building their machines, focusing on creating a chain reaction that ends with the button being pushed. Suggest scouts incorporate creative elements like pulleys, slides, or levers to make their machines more dynamic and fun. Ideas for steps include:
   • Dominoes falling to push a ball.
   • A ball rolling down a ramp.
   • A string pulling an object that triggers the button.
4. Once the machines are assembled, test them to see if they successfully push the button.
   • (Optional) If the machine doesn’t work as intended, encourage teams to identify the problem and adjust their designs.