If there’s a complex way to do something simple, the Year 3 and 4 students at Epping North Public School know all about it.

They have been coming to grips with pulleys, wedges, inclined planes and screws in the design and construction of Rube Goldberg “cause and effect” machines.

The machines, named after the American cartoonist, complete simple tasks such as pouring water into a cup and knocking a soccer ball into goal through complex means and were on display at the school’s Science Fair this term.

Epping North Public science teacher Jenni Bennett said the day was “a showcase to the local community and parents about the work we’re doing in science”.

Science has been the focus of the school’s release from face-to-face teaching program for the past seven years.

For two hours a week over a semester Miss Bennett works with the students. Over a whole year she works with the school’s entire student population.

“We make it as hands-on as possible for the students, they really enjoy coming to the classes which develop their mental processing, teamwork and problem-solving skills,” she said. “The teaching of science is different. It’s about designing, making, investigating and testing. The students get a good sense of accomplishment and a lot of personal success when things work.”

Other units Miss Bennett has worked on with the students address biodiversity, UV readings and skin safety awareness and the construction of safe playground models.

A more ambitious project will involve trying to get the school into the record books.

“It will be a watermelon challenge – trying to grow the largest watermelon in Australia,” Miss Bennett said.