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Marble run - build a route to the finish

Six coloured PLA channels, two U-turns, nine supports and two layouts of the same construction. An open marble run with a footprint of approximately 40 × 25 cm, a height of approximately 16 cm and a marble route of approximately 1.02 m.

Age
8–12 years
Length
approx. 6.5 h
Level
Medium
Where you teach
Home
Purpose
Creative
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How to run this session

Stages and timing
  1. M1: make 21 ribs
  2. M1: assemble the frame
  3. M1: cover half the channel
  4. M1: finish the surface
  5. M2: make 13 ribs
  6. M2: assemble the frame
  7. M2: cover half the channel
  8. M2: finish the surface
  9. M3: make 21 ribs
  10. M3: assemble the frame
  11. M3: cover half the channel
  12. M3: finish the surface
  13. M4: make 13 ribs
  14. M4: assemble the frame
  15. M4: cover half the channel
  16. M4: finish the surface
  17. M5: make 18 ribs
  18. M5: assemble the frame
  19. M5: cover half the channel
  20. M5: finish the surface
  21. M6: make 6 ribs
  22. M6: assemble the frame
  23. M6: cover half the channel
  24. M6: finish the surface
  25. P1: draw the frames
  26. P1: assemble the support
  27. H1: make two arcs
  28. H1: join and seat the saddle
  29. P2: draw the frames
  30. P2: assemble the support
  31. J1: make two arcs
  32. J1: join and seat the saddle
  33. P3: draw the frames
  34. P3: assemble the support
  35. J2: make two arcs
  36. J2: join and seat the saddle
  37. P4: draw the frames
  38. P4: assemble the support
  39. J3: make two arcs
  40. J3: join and seat the saddle
  41. P5: draw the frames
  42. P5: assemble the support
  43. J4: make two arcs
  44. J4: join and seat the saddle
  45. P6: draw the frames
  46. P6: assemble the support
  47. J5: make two arcs
  48. J5: join and seat the saddle
  49. P7: draw the frames
  50. P7: assemble the support
  51. H7: make two arcs
  52. H7: join and seat the saddle
  53. P8: draw the frames
  54. P8: assemble the support
  55. H8: make two arcs
  56. H8: join and seat the saddle
  57. P9: draw the frames
  58. P9: assemble the support
  59. H9: make two arcs
  60. H9: join and seat the saddle
  61. Make 12 shims
  62. Layout A: seat M1
  63. Layout A: seat M2
  64. Layout A: seat M3
  65. Layout A: seat M4
  66. Layout A: seat M5
  67. Layout A: seat M6
  68. Test a run in layout A
  69. Build layout B and test a run

What gets built

Build a reconfigurable marble run and enjoy making it work.

What it practises
  • Building a spatial frame and covering it with supported strands.
  • Fitting removable joints and adjusting slopes based on marble runs.

Success criteria
  • The marble travels from start to finish without help in at least two layouts.
  • All supports stand firmly, the joints do not bounce the marble, and the finish wall stops it.

What you need
Filament
PLA
Colours
colour shown in the illustration, colour shown in the illustration, colour shown in the illustration, colour shown in the illustration, colour shown in the illustration, colour shown in the illustration, colour shown in the illustration, colour shown in the illustration
Also
PLA-compatible 3D pen with power supply, Transparent mat resistant to nozzle temperature, Glass marble approximately 16 mm, Ruler, Printed templates at 1:1

Files

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Version 40b1636c-c947-40e9-9044-684596161717 Updated 2026-10-10

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