PT posted a video of this fantastic Rube Goldberg device made by kids over at the Make blog. Fascinated by this, I looked around a little and it appears they were inspired by a television program for youngsters in Japan called Pythagoras Switch.
These Kids Are Way Too Cute
The show seems to be directed toward kids in the 3-7 age group, but I'm finding myself completely mesmerized. The programs contain a small science segment, brilliant little stick animations, ninja algorithm dancing (seriously!), and each segment is bumpered with these wicked marble machines.
There's an archive of a number of episodes over at TV in Japan. I've also posted a couple samples after the fold.
Geometric Animations and Algorithm Ninjas
Compilation of Marble Machine Bumpers
Is it just me or is Elmo selling our American kids short?
