Get a practical science engagement warm-up before the conference and join the local public in building a fantastic machine of chain reactions in one of the Messe Congress convention centre's large halls.

This public event will involve Graz inhabitants: schools classes, kindergarden groups, universities and companies - and of course Ecsite conference participants. In the spirit of a Rube Goldberg machine, we will be building a contraption, invention, device or apparatus that is deliberately over-engineered to perform a simple task in a complicated fashion, generally including a chain reaction. There will be several iterations of the machine from Tuesday 7 June to Thursday 9 June, and the most successful elements of the chain reaction will be featured on stage during the conference's Opening event.

It will be a great opportunity to discover areas of local scientific excellence, to test your making, tinkering or facilitating skills, and to socialise and network further.

Note that attendees of the "Using Tinkering to collaborate with communities" pre-conference workshop taking place on 8 June are requested to attend the "Ecsite for all" event on the previous day.

Bring your own materials to Graz, for example a special or unique object from your country, museum or science centre! The impulse will be traveling from palette to palette (20,5 x 10 x 205 cm) in a domino-like effect involving wooden board.