Rube Goldberg Machine Project
Dear Students and parents,
For the last 2 weeks of school, we will be exploring concepts in preparation for 8th grade science. The project will be in groups of 4 that the students will choose on their own. The purpose of this project is to help students learn about the Law of Conservation of Energy (Energy cannot be created or destroyed—it can change from one form into another). This will be the students’ final for this year.
Students need to bring materials and tape for the project starting MONDAY JUNE 1. Please refer to the calendar on the back and make sure you bring materials for work in class. Ms. Sunaga will be providing tubes, rulers, boxes, marbles, toy cars, textbooks, and scissors to help the students.
Project Requirements:
1. You are to create a problem and come up with solutions to solve it.
2. You will be working in groups of 4 (no more than 4)!
3. A “blueprint” must be created for the machine. Indicate the START and FINISH of your contraption. Use arrows to trace the route of movement.
4. Students will receive a participation grade for each work day. Students are expected to exhibit on –task, respectful behavior at all times.
5. The contraption should perform one task (ex. Sprinkles on cupcake, open a box)
6. The contraption must have at least 4 causes and effects.
7. The contraption should be stable and stand on its own.
8. The contraption may not be larger than 1 table (5’ x 2’)
9. The contraption should be made using items found at home or borrowed from a friend or teacher. Please do not purchase lots of materials. The only thing that needs to be purchased is tape.
10. The contraption must be able to be taken apart and put back together. The contraption cannot take longer than 10 minutes to set up on the day of the presentation.
11. Complete do now and exit slip reflections about what you are learning as you create your project
Tips: Look for easy to handle, durable materials. Check out your closets, toy boxes (sister or brother’s room?), garage or junk drawers.
SAFETY: As you build your contraption, keep in mind that safety must be your first concern. Check with your parents before you use power tools, use electricity or lift heavy objects. Check with Ms. Sunaga if anything dangerous will be used.
IDEAS FOR CONTRAPTIONS
KLENNEX OUT OF THE BOX LAUNCHING A PAPER AIRPLANE
HIT A TARGET WITH SOMETHING TURN ON A FLASHLIGHT
SWITCH SOMETHING ON STAPLE SOMETHING
I have read the requirements for the project, the grading scale, and due dates on the back.
Student’s Printed Name: ______
Parent/Guardian Signature: ______
Student Signature:______Date: ______
RUBRIC
PART 1: Planning and DesigningPoints possible / Points Earned
Detailed planning and design. Includes labels and written explanation of each step / 4 pts / /4
PART 2: Building and Testing
Shows excellent collaboration, work on science project during work days (1 grade for each work day: 6/1--6/2, 6/3---6/4, 6/8--6/9) / 4 pts / /4
PART 3: Presentation
Successful Start
Through 1st cause and effect / 1 pts. / /1
Without stopping through 2nd and 3rd cause and effect / 1 Pts. / /1
Without stopping through 4th cause and effect to finish / 1 Pts. / /1
Excellent Design and creativity / 1 Pts. / /1
TOTAL 4 pts / TOTAL GRADE: /4
PART 4: Reflection
Completed Reflection do nows and exit slips for project. / 4 pts / /4
Project Due Date:
· Period 2—Wednesday June 10th
· Periods 3 and 4—Thursday June 11th
· Period 5 and 6—Friday June 12th
Sunday / Monday / Tuesday / Wednesday / Thursday / Friday / Saturday24 / 25
MEMORIAL HOLIDAY—NO SCHOOL / 26 / 27 / 28
Intro to project
Brainstorm ideas,
Draw Blueprint / 29
Intro to project
Brainstorm ideas,
Draw Blueprint / 30
31 / 1
Periods 3,5
Collaborative: Work on Project
Independent:
Work on Finding ideas for project (videos) / 2
Periods 2,4,6
Collaborative: Work on Project
Independent:
Work on Finding ideas for project (videos) / 3
Short Day—Bill Nye and vocabulary practice / 4
Periods 3,5
Collaborative: Work on Project / 5
Periods 2,4,6
Collaborative: Work on Project
ALL MAKE UP WORK DUE / 6
7 / 8
Periods 3 and 5
Collaborative: Work on Project / 9
Periods 2,4,6
Collaborative: Work on Project / 10
Period 2 presents / 11
Periods 3 and 4 presents / 12
Period 5 and 6 presents