cuboro Lexicon
This cuboro lexicon helps make the didactic manual “cuboro creative thinking” more comprehensible and
defines different expressions in it.
Expression
Definition
Sample
card
Illustration
Base construction
element
Element with which track elements are
supported, can also function as track element.
Black box
Here: Cardboard box featuring two grip-holes
through which objects can be touched without
being seen.
Blank elements
Full elements
Elements without track function. Generally, they
“only” serve as base construction elements.
Channel
Rill, notch, semicircular milling, function on the
surface of elements. There are straight and
curved channels.
21
Congruence
Geometrical shapes having the same size and
shape. Two repetitive track sections are
congruent. They are part of geometrically
planning track systems.
41
cuboro
Fantasy name made up of: cubo (cube) –
ro (rolling) or oro (gold), thus “golden cube”.
Trade mark and name of the company cuboro
Ltd. and its main product.
cuboro system
A marble track system with multifunctional cube
elements. Currently there are 82 cuboro elements available in 14 different sets. Corresponding cugolino elements featuring many amusing
functions can be found in further sets.
“cuboro webkit”
Interactive web tool for virtual construction of
cuboro systems (at www.cuboro.ch)
I
Element
cuboro cube, cuboro building block
(with or without function)
D
D
Task Card (Index Card)
EA
The multiple application areas of cuboro are recorded on cards, providing task assignments and suggestions for experiments.
Front side
The following information can be found at the top of the card (information field):
Area (Chapter), card No., learning stage (level of difficulty), solitary task/in pairs/group, suitable for “cuboro webkit”, report
recommended, additional information may be helpful, suitability for drawing on a grid sheet, subtitle.
Explanation cards
Cards containing explanations to the task cards.
V · Main title
/
–
/
31A
–
Subtitle
Easy tasks
Tasks requiring specific work
Tricky tasks
D – K
Solitary task
Tasks in pairs (can normally also be done by oneself)
Teamwork/group task (can normally also be done in pairs)
“cuboro webkit” – this task can also be solved virtually in the “cuboro webkit” (www.cuboro.ch)
Report sheet – can be filled in for nearly all of the tasks and also serves as worksheet for answers.
It should be available depending on individual requirements. Copies of this sheet should be on hand at all times.
(Printable template on CD-ROM or for download at www.cuboro.ch)
© by Matthias Etter – “cuboro creative thinking”, cuboro AG 2010
95
Expression
Definition
Full symmetry
See symmetry
Function
Track function
Channel or tunnel which is part of the track
course. Elements No. 11 and 12 (level-changing
elements) feature 4 straight running-in channels
to all directions. In all tasks they always only
perform one function - changing levels in one
direction. They do not belong to the multifunctional elements. Exception: If several track
courses run together in an element No. 11/12
they act in a multifunctional way. Elements No.
11/12 are “channel-wise” always neutral, they
fulfil their purpose in tasks for track courses with
curved channels only as well as straight
channels only.
Geometry
Branch of mathematics – geometrical laws, rules,
dimensions and ratio regarding extension and
formation of curves, spaces, shapes and geometrical figures.
Geometrical
planning
Here: Track systems that are planned according
to geometrical laws. This includes the selection
of shapes as well as the composition and
number of elements in track sections. A geometrically planned track course includes regularities, equivalences/repetitions in track sections
and/or throughout the levels. This leads to
symmetries and/or congruencies within the track
systems or on the outline.
Grid (Sheets)
Drawn fields thanks to which the position of
elements per level can be defined and recorded
through entering description, function and
direction of elements.
Sample
card
Illustration
D
16
31 – 50
Grid 1
Task
Name(s)
Title
Date
Sheet No.
Level: ____
A
B
Level: ____
C
D
E
F
G
H
A
B
of
Level: ____
C
D
E
F
G
H
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
1
H
12
2
3
4
5
6
Level: ____
7
8
Printable file on CD ROM or for download
at www.cuboro.ch
96
Horizontal element
Element featuring horizontal functions only.
Enable the horizontal expansion of a track course
on a level or intermediate level.
Intermediate level
See levels
Level
Level/floor of systems. Level 1 corresponds to
the lowermost layer of cubes. Level 2 the second
lowest etc. Each level features an intermediate
level, a tunnel function running through the
middle of the elements.
Level-changing
elements
Elements allowing changes from one level to an
intermediate or the next lower level.
Category I: channel to channel (to the next lower
level, No. 12).
Category II: channel to tunnel/intermediate level
(element No. 11).
Category III: tunnel/intermediate level to
channel (e.g. elements No. 7,8,9,10).
These elements always feature a horizontal
function on the surface.
9
10
11
11
18
12
11
7
8
9
10
Expression
Multifunction
Definition
Sample
card
Illustration
Utilization of two or three functions of the same
element in one track course.
14
Overbuilding function See position of function.
Above – channel on the surface
Inside – tunnel (intermediate level)
Position of function
Report Form
Below – channel underneath
= Overbuilding function, elements can be
“underrun” – such “underrun” elements, also
upside down, are always track elements
(overtunneled).
Form for evaluating/analyzing cuboro systems
and for recording answers.
Report
Task
Name(s)
Title
Date
Set “cuboro basis”
Element No.
Set “cuboro standard”
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
“cuboro webkit”
8
9
10
Smoothly running
course
Start element
In general element No. 12 although this is not
mandatory. A horizontal element can also serve
as starting element. In this case the marble
needs a start impulse.
Symmetry
Geometrical shape consisting of at least two
parts which reflect each other or which line up
with each other when rotating around the
axis of symmetry.
Track courses featuring track sections with
reflective shapes as well as shapes lining up with
each other after rotation (only the visible track
sections are relevant).
12
Total
Number used
Utilization of track elementst
As track elements
(used for the course of the marble)
Printable file on CD ROM or for download
at www.cuboro.ch
11
Illustration
Number of elements used
Track course in which level changes are always
made with a level-changing element, thus the
marble changes levels “smoothly” and does not
”drop” out of a horizontal tunnel or channel
onto the next lower level.
Symmetrical
track courses
81
Single (upper, inner or lower function only)
Total
Double (multifunction)
As base construction elements
Triple (multifunction)
As track element and
base construction element
Level of difficulty
difficult
F
G
As base construction element only
easy
Level of enjoyment
high
low
Remarks/answers
See flip side
Teacher’s comment
13
41
A fully symmetrical system features a symmetrical correspondence for each track section as well
as a symmetrical outline.
97
Expression
System
Definition
Sample
card
Illustration
Product, method, building set etc., consisting of
elements or parts which constitute a functioning
whole.
See also cuboro system and track system.
II · Two-dimensional systems/ornaments
1A
Horizontal shapes – on the surface
Task cards
Cards containing tasks for the cuboro marble
track system.
1a
Copy this shape.
What does it display ?
E
1 – 92
© by Matthias Etter – “cuboro creative thinking”, cuboro AG 2010
Track course
cuboro elements with connected functions, on
and through which the marble can roll from a
start element to an exit element. The marble
must roll independently and cannot be caught.
The marble must be able to exit at the end of
the course.
Track system
Here: Marble track construction, -labyrinth,
-model consisting of cube elements. A functioning cuboro track system features at least one
connected track course but can also include
several track courses. The smallest cuboro track
system possible consists of as few as two
connected track elements.
Track element
Elements which are part of the track course with
channel and/or tunnel functions, they can be
base construction elements at the same time.
11
Track section
Part of the track course (track elements) on one
level.
11
Drilled shaft, function on the inside of elements.
There are horizontal (straight) tunnels and
inclined tunnels.
Tunnel
98
Level-changing elements (No. 11 + 12) with
vertical tunnels do not belong to the elements
with pure tunnel function. They also serve as
level-changers in track courses which only run on
the surface of elements.
11
21
85
On the history
cuboro was developed by Matthias Etter as a simple educational game during his work with special school
students in Gümligen, Bern, in 1976. At the time, it was a three-dimensional puzzle composed of cubes with
channels and tunnels. If the elements are placed in the right order, a marble finally runs through the course,
i.e. the task is achieved. Depending on age and capability, the solution is achieved through logical thinking, trial
and error, imitating, learning by heart, step-by-step practice or even by feeling in case of visual impairment.
The students always experienced that through expedient combinations a functioning system develops.
With time, Matthias Etter further developed the system and brought it on the market in 1985 as a “multigenerational game” including cubes with 12 different functions. cuboro was successively extended with
thematically chosen elements in supplementary sets. Presently, 82 different cuboro elements and dozens of
cugolino elements (100 % cuboro compatible and featuring interesting physical experimentation possibilities)
are offered.
Besides winning several awards and a large community of players, cuboro also gradually gained attention as a
comparative system. Thus, today, cuboro is not only played for fun, but is also used as teaching material,
in scientific studies on spatial imagination, in occupational therapy, in team trainings, for aptitude tests, in
promotional concepts, in theme parks and for championships.
cuboro, made from FSC-certified beech wood from Switzerland, is produced in a modern family joinery in the
region of Oberaargau/Emmental under utmost ecological circumstances and is globally marketed by cuboro Ltd.
in Hasliberg Reuti/BE.
1976
1978
1985
1986
99