At Eastbrook Middle School one eighth-grade teacher, Corey Orr, has developed a creative and inspiring method of teaching physics terms to her students.
Each term, her classes create and showcase an arcade made almost entirely out of used cardboard. This unit creates an immersive learning experience that makes science fun and teaches students about the practical application of the science that they learn in class. As a bonus, it teaches them that they can create amazing things using items that others see as trash. We can all learn a lot from the students’ creative ideas of how to reuse materials.
By reusing materials and putting their knowledge to work, the students participate in what is known as a highlight of their middle school career. Orr stated about the project, “It’s always just the eighth grade because it goes with their science terms. Which then helps motivate sixth and seventh grade because they see (the arcade) in here and then say ‘Do we get to do that?’” Getting to see the showcased games inspires the sixth- and seventh-grade students to study well in their classes now so they can create cool things with their scientific understanding in the future.
To kick off the project, Orr gathers recycled materials, primarily cardboard and paper towel tubes. Teachers throughout the school contribute to the cause by donating gently used materials that the students may use. This year, local business Painting Peeps also contributed some materials that were previously destined for the landfill. This approach reinforces the importance of environmental responsibility and instills a sense of community within the school.
Orr has invested in specific tools used for cutting and manipulating cardboard. These make working with the material easier for the students and helps teach them the importance of using the right tools for the job. It’s also a great moment to teach how we take care of our tools properly.
The entire process begins with a unit on simple machines, providing students with a foundational understanding of force, motion and energy. Afterward, they put those concepts into practice to construct their arcade games.
This activity was inspired by “Caine’s Arcade.” “Caine’s Arcade” is a short documentary about a child who created and ran an arcade with machines made from used cardboard and other materials out of his father’s auto parts store. Students at Eastbrook watch this 11-minute film to begin getting inspired for their own creations.
The students are divided into groups and, then, once a group of students claims a specific type of arcade game, no other group can replicate it. This not only adds an element of friendly competition but also ensures a diverse array of games, ranging from foosball and catapult basketball to plinko and ring tosses. The exclusivity of each game type motivates students to think creatively, finding innovative ways to repurpose materials for their creations.
Students engage in brainstorming sessions, sketching their ideas on paper before transitioning to the construction phase. Each team faces the practical challenges of transforming ordinary materials into fully functional arcade games. This hands-on approach solidifies their understanding of scientific concepts. It also helps improve their problem-solving skills as they have to encounter setbacks and obstacles during the construction process.
Their hard work pays off in the end.
“The day after we finish, we all get to play. And I invite all the teachers and admin to come in. They’ll come in for a few minutes and play against the kids. And the kids love that,” said Orr about the finale of the unit.
Orr’s cardboard arcade lesson creates a legacy at Eastbrook Middle School, inspiring students to view learning as fun while instilling a commitment to sustainability that will last a lifetime. I challenge you to look in your bins this week and brainstorm what you could do with some of those materials instead of sending them to the landfill, just like these eighth-grade students.
Amy Hartline is the recycling and education program coordinator for the Dalton-Whitfield Solid Waste Authority. Have a recycling question? Contact her at (706) 278-5001 or ahartline@dwswa.org.