This Machine Was Built With Creativity

OK Go’s Rube Goldberg machine turns physics and design into a work of art.

When people think of STEM, they often think of formulas, data, and technical skills. But what happens when you add creativity to the equation?

OK Go has the answer.

In their music video for “This Too Shall Pass,” the band created a massive Rube Goldberg machine. Every piece, every movement, and every reaction is carefully designed to trigger the next in a perfectly timed sequence. It is a complex system built on principles of physics, engineering, and precise calculation.

But it is also a work of art.

The machine is not just functional. It is visually engaging, playful, and designed to tell a story. The colors, movement, rhythm, and choreography transform a technical concept into something captivating.

This is where STEM becomes STEAM.

The video demonstrates that understanding how things work is only part of the process. The real impact comes from how those ideas are brought to life. Creativity turns a chain reaction into an experience. It makes people stop, watch, and wonder how it all works.

That sense of curiosity is what drives learning and innovation.

OK Go did not just build a machine. They designed an idea, tested it, refined it, and presented it in a way that connects with millions of people. That process requires both analytical thinking and creative vision.

This is exactly why we need to Add the A.

The arts bring meaning, engagement, and imagination to STEM. They help turn complex concepts into something people can understand and enjoy.

OK Go reminds us that innovation is not just about solving problems. It is about creating something that inspires others.

When we add the A, we do more than learn. We create.