Rube Goldberg Project

Sometimes designing a silly, roundabout way to do something can enable one to better understand the inner details of the more practical, direct solution. Whenever a machine is made overly complicated to do a simple job, it is called a “Rube Goldberg”.

In this activity, you will design and build a Rube Goldberg machine. The machines that you build are different from the machines people are used to seeing. A good Rube Goldberg machine incorporates the everyday machines people are used to seeing and connects them in ways that may seem idiotic or ingenious. It is your mission to construct a machine that uses at least 6 individual steps/stages to complete a task, such as:

·  TURN ON A LIGHT BULB

·  STAPLE TWO PAPERS TOGETHER

·  FILL UP A DIXIE CUP WITH WATER

·  POP A BALLOON

·  RING A BELL

·  A SIMPLE TASK OF YOUR CHOOSING

Your machine may take some time to put together. You will have some in-class time to plan and build this machine. You are responsible for most of the materials you and your group will need to construct the machine.

**Note: Stealing or “borrowing” other group’s materials will result in a referral to the office as well as a major point reduction on your machine. If anyone sees this behavior and does not report it, they will receive the same treatment. This behavior will not be tolerated.

You may use almost any object that you can find, however you are limited to “safe” things. Here are a few ideas:

Cardboard / Wood / Wind up toys / Magnets
Straws / Paper Clips / String / Coins
Balloons / Rubber bands / Sand / Toothpicks
Marbles / Toilet Paper Rolls / Plastic / Books

The following items are NOT permitted or have special restrictions:

·  Firecrackers, dangerous chemicals, and other unsafe items are not permitted.

·  Power tools other than glue guns are not to be brought to school.

Project Guidelines

A.  A Rube Goldberg Machine is designed such that a single action starts the machine, such as pressing a button, letting go of a marble, cutting a string, removing a barrier, etc. No other additional human actions are required/allowed once your machine has started.

B.  Your machine must have a minimum of six connected steps/stages, and must include:

  1. Three different simple machines (For a machine to count, it must do work! i.e. pulleys must lift something, objects must go up an inclined plane, etc.)
  2. Two different types of energy

C.  Your project must have a minimum running time of 10 seconds, and a maximum run time of 5 minutes.

D.  If your machine fails to work on its first graded attempt, you are allowed one free restart, which must occur within five minutes of the first run.

E.  Your machine should run smoothly all the way through. You will be penalized 5 points EACH TIME you interact with your machine after its initial start, for up to 15 points lost.

Project Write Up:

A.  Project Proposal: Your group will submit a written proposal of what your group’s “goal” will be, the three simple machines you will use, and the two types of energy you will incorporate. The proposal will also include a flow chart of at least three potential “steps” you are thinking about. A list of intended materials should also be recorded (may change later).

B.  Project Log (In your Comp Book Lab Section): Each day you have class time to work on your project, each person in your group is responsible for keeping a “log” detailing how you spent your time, what you tried, what worked, what didn’t, etc.

C.  Final Write Up: Submit a report with the following sections (Each person must do this individually):

  1. Purpose
  2. Materials
  3. Machine Strategy (How did you come up with your ideas? What were at least three things you had to change while building your machine from your original proposal?)
  4. Final Device Steps (Flow chart of your 6+ steps, labeled with simple machines and energy types)
  5. Description of Model (Description of how each step functions. Where is the potential energy stored in your machine? What are the energy transfers? What simple machines are used?)
  6. Team Strategy and Accomplishments (What were the different jobs on your team? Did you work well together? How did you solve differences of opinion? What are you must proud of?)

Timeline:

May 28/29: Bring some random materials to class. At the end of class, submit your group’s Project Proposal.

May 30/31: Spend time trying to construct your machine. At the end of class, each group will submit their project log for the week. At least three adjustments you made (as a group) must be recorded.

June 3/4: (Some class time to work on project.) Submit a flow chart of your Rube Goldberg Machine, with the types of energy and simple machines labeled. You should have THREE steps successfully built with at least one simple machine.

June 5/6: (Some class time to work on project.) You should have FIVE steps successfully built with at least two simple machines.

June 7 (Colt Day): Unit 7 Test

June 10-13: One final work day to finish up Rube Goldberg Machine and report and one day to present the project!

RUBRIC:

Machine Completes Task 10 points Extra Credit;

Machine has at least 6 steps (5 points each) 30 points 8 steps (+2)

Meets time requirement (10 sec-5 min) 5 points 9 steps (+4)

At least three simple machines (5 points each) 15 points 10 steps (+6)

At least two type types of energy (5 points each) 10 points 12 steps (+8)

Project Proposal 10 points 15 steps (+10)

Project Log 10 points 5 simple machines (+5)

Final Write Up 20 points

Total= 110 points