Overview
Design a LEGO build that transforms from a desk into a bed, inspired by Sarah E. Goode’s folding cabinet bed. This challenge highlights how engineers solve real problems—like limited living space—by creating furniture that serves multiple purposes.
Watch the full build video: https://youtu.be/h9pIRXLIa8w
Best for: Grades 2–6
Kits: LEGO Spike Prime or Spike Essential
Time: 45–60 minutes
Who Was Sarah E. Goode?
Sarah E. Goode was an inventor and furniture store owner who lived in the late 1800s. As cities grew, many families lived in very small apartments with limited space. Sarah noticed that people needed furniture that could do more than one job.
Her solution was a folding cabinet bed—a piece of furniture that could be used during the day and transformed into a bed at night. She became one of the first Black women to receive a U.S. patent.
Big idea: Good design makes life easier by solving everyday problems.
This image is an AI enhancement of the blurry photograph.
Real Invention: Key Features
Sarah Goode’s folding cabinet bed needed to:
- Save space in small apartments
- Transform smoothly between uses
- Be strong and stable when used as a bed
- Fold away neatly during the day
This invention helped families live more comfortably in tight spaces.
LEGO Robot Challenge
Your mission: Build and program a LEGO model that transforms from a desk into a bed using motion and structure.
Build Requirements
- A desk configuration and a bed configuration
- At least one hinge or pivot point
- One motor to assist with the transformation
- The transformation must be controlled and repeatable
Optional Add-Ons
- Add a button to switch between desk and bed modes
- Include supports or legs that lock into place
- Add a second transformation (bed → desk)
- Add sound or light when the transformation begins
Suggested Materials
- 1 Motor
- LEGO beams, connectors, hinges, and plates
- Hub (Spike Prime or Spike Essential)
Programming Concepts
- Motor direction and power
- Timers / wait blocks
- Sequences
- Loops
Extension: Use conditionals so the build only transforms when it is safe.
Discussion Questions
- Why was space such a big problem in apartments?
- How does furniture that does multiple jobs help families?
- What could go wrong if the bed wasn’t stable?
- What other furniture could be redesigned to save space?
Learning Objectives
Students will:
- Understand how constraints influence design
- Practice mechanical transformation and sequencing
- Explore structural stability
- Connect historical inventions to modern design
Extensions & Challenges
- Design furniture for a tiny apartment
- Compare Sarah Goode’s invention to modern Murphy beds
- Test how much weight the bed can support
- Create a full transforming room
Video Connection
🎥 Watch the full build video: https://youtu.be/h9pIRXLIa8w
Part of the Black History LEGO Robotics Series
This build is part of our Black History LEGO Robotics Challenge—exploring inventors, engineers, and innovators through hands-on LEGO robotics.
What problem would you solve with transforming furniture?
