We offer two different building activities which suit a range of age-groups, abilities and topics.
These activities can be bought from The Museum’s gift shop but are offered at a discounted rate when purchased as part of a group booking or purchased from a school/ academy/ educational group.
These activities can be bought from The Museum’s gift shop but are offered at a discounted rate when purchased as part of a group booking or purchased from a school/ academy/ educational group.
CAM Automata Kits
Appropriate for 5-11yrsWe recommend a museum visit to support this activity but it’s not essential.
Timbertech Cams – a complete box of Timberkits parts for individual design and experimentation. Contains components for 10 models with a choice of 3 different cam and wheel mechanisms (wooden parts only) for children to design and build their own object to bring to life.
These Timberkit kits come in boxes of 4 and 10 models so are recommended for educational groups.
Timbertech Cams – a complete box of Timberkits parts for individual design and experimentation. Contains components for 10 models with a choice of 3 different cam and wheel mechanisms (wooden parts only) for children to design and build their own object to bring to life.
These Timberkit kits come in boxes of 4 and 10 models so are recommended for educational groups.
| What you get.. | Wooden Kits (decorative ‘toppers’ not included) |
| Duration | 1 hour, can be split over 2 lessons |
| Subject focus | Design Technology, Engineering and Art |
| Appropriate for | 5yrs – 11yrs |
| No. of kits available | Minimum of 4, no limit |
| Support material | Instructions and teacher’s lesson plan. A video for teachers detailing how to make the kits. Teacher’s worksheet and Pupil’s worksheet. |
| Pre-booking & Payment | Yes |
| Cost | £4 per kit |
Take-away After a Trip
At the end of your visit, a member of staff will give your group leader the required number of Timbertech Cam kits. A representative from The MAD Museum’s educational team will email the group leader with the support materials.
Collection or Post
You are welcome to collect your Timbertech. Cam kits from The MAD Museum at a convenient time. Alternatively, we can post the kits to you, standard Royal Mail postage would apply. A representative from The MAD Museum’s educational team will email the group leader with the support materials.
Marble Run Kits
Appropriate for 11yrs +We recommend a museum visit to support this activity but it’s not essential. As part of a group booking (10 persons or more), you are eligible to purchase our Marble kits at a discounted rate.
There are 4 different types to choose from:
Simple Kit
It is unique in the sense that it is built entirely from laser cut MDF. Slots and tabs are used in the design to ensure all parts are perfectly aligned. A minimum of sanding is required. 9.52mm balls are included.
Marble Machine 1 Hand-cranked
This machine is hand-cranked and has a stairs type lifting mechanism. The camshaft is geared down to ensure smooth motion. Made from precision laser cut MDF and plywood. Plated steel axles. 5mm steel balls are included with the kit.
Marble Machine 1 Motorised
This motorized version of the #1 machine uses a small gear motor to power the stairs type lifting mechanism. Made from precision laser cut MDF and plywood. Plated steel axles. 5mm steel balls are included with the kit. Soldering is required to complete the kit.
Marble Machine 2
Everything you need to assemble the kit is included except for glue and batteries (2xAA). Made from precision laser cut MDF and plywood. Carbon fibre uprights with silicone spacers. 7mm steel balls are included with the kit.
| Kit Name | Your Discounted Rate | Reduced From |
| Simple Kit | £6.00 per | £7.99 |
| Marble Machine 1 hand-cranked | £12.00 per | £14.99 |
| Marble Machine 1 motorised | £15.00 per | £22.99 |
| Marble Machine 2 | £30.00 per | £44.99 |
Please note Marble Machine 1 motorised and Marble Machine 2 are included here because occasionally, teachers like the option to buy one or two of these per order. We do not expect you to order these for a whole class, but the option is there.
| Construction duration | Roughly 2 hours |
| Subject focus | Design, Engineering and Art |
| No. of kits available | No minimum or limit |
| Support material | Instructions available on www.madfactory.co.uk |
| Pre-booking required | Yes |