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Great Ball Contraption

Overview

The Great Ball Contraption (GBC) is a popular collaborative LEGO building theme. A GBC is essentially a Rube Goldberg-style machine made from LEGO (primarily Technic elements) that continuously moves small LEGO balls (soccer/basketball style) from one module to the next in a chain, like a bucket brigade. Modules connect seamlessly when built to official GBC standards, allowing large group displays at events and shows.

The Great Ball Contraption Honor teaches engineering principles, mechanical design, problem-solving, collaboration, and creativity through fun LEGO building. It emphasizes reliability, testing, and teamwork while creating entertaining, chainable modules that can be combined into impressive group displays. It’s a hands-on way to explore mechanics, physics, and innovation in a playful, community-oriented format. This honor works well for LEGO enthusiasts and encourages both individual builds and group participation in real GBC events or club activities.

Requirements

1. What is GBC?

2. What are the size requirements for a contraption?

3. What is the base unit of height/width used in building a contraption?

4. Know the GBC standard rules & regulations used in a show.

5. Define the key components of the contraption:

  • a. In-basket
  • b. Lift mechanism
  • c. Output

6. How are Technic™ pieces different from standard LEGO®? How are Technic axle and beam sizes measured?

7. Demonstrate your knowledge by either drawing or showing an example of the following pieces/parts:

  • a. Beam
  • b. Axle
  • c. Pin
  • d. Bush (1/2 or whole)

8. Define and give examples of the following pieces used in a contraption:

  • a. Gear
    • i. Rack and Pinion
    • ii. Worm
    • iii. Cam
  • b. Motor
  • c. Connector
  • d. Beam
  • e. Power Bank

9. Define and give examples of the different methods to move the ball.

10. Why is it critical that you test your contraption during the construction process, rather than waiting until the end?

11. Discuss standard building strategies:

  • a. Make sure all the bricks are fully connected/seated.
  • b. Make sure connectors/gears are not connected tightly.

12. Build a GBC from a kit or published instructions. It should have at least a 90% success rate (successfully move 27 out of 30 balls in and out of the contraption).

13. In a group, put together a connected collection of at least five modules, which must use at least three different lift mechanisms. Successfully transfer 27 out of 30 balls through the entire collection of individual modules.

Answer key & resources

Master awards

This honor counts toward:

Investiture Achievement

This honor is required, suggested or listed as an option in:

See also

Adapted from AY Honors/Great Ball Contraption on the Pathfinder Wiki, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. See the original page's history for its authors.
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