In this project, you're going to design your own Rube Goldberg machine. You are required to submit this project to your teacher for marks. Very carefully, read the
whole project and how to do it. Be sure to read the requirements and rubric,
they explain the expectations for this project and how it will be
marked. Click here if you need tips on how to create a good project!
Situation:
Build a Rube Goldberg device to perform a simple task with a complicated, complex machine.
Project Task:
1. Choose one of the following simple tasks:
Turn on a light
Break an egg
Squeeze a tube of toothpaste
Pop a balloon
If you would like to choose a different simple task, check with your teacher first.
2. Design a complex Rube Goldberg machine to accomplish your simple task. You should
Incorporate at least 4 different simple machines into your Rube Goldberg machine (Lesson D1)
Incorporate at least 5 steps or subsystems prior to the final step of the machine that accomplishes the task (Lesson D3)
The design of your Rube Goldberg machine should show imagination and creativity.
Before starting your design, ask yourself this question:
“How can I link all the subsystems of the machine to accomplish the final task?”
Download:
DOWNLOAD this document. It provides a complete copy of
this project and all the instructions.
Method:
Choose the way you would like to design your Rube Goldberg machine. Here are some ideas from which you can choose:
Build a working Rube Goldberg machine. Use materials around your house such as marbles, golf balls, toilet paper rolls, plastic containers, tape, string, cardboard, and elastics. Then, photograph or video various aspects of your machine to share
with your teacher.
Draw several pictures to show clearly the features of your design. Use pencil and paper, or use a computer drawing program such as Adobe Photoshop or Gimp.
Draw a comic strip of your design, just like Rube Goldberg!
Write a detailed description or story about your design.
Use any other creative ideas you have, but check with your teacher first!
Requirements:
You must answer the following questions to communicate clearly the following information about your Rube Goldberg machine.
You can provide written answers to these questions, or you can include the answers as labels if you produce a drawing or model of your design.
Another option is to address these questions by recording yourself (and your model or drawings) on video or make an audio recording.
Questions:
What 4 different simple machines did you use in your design?
Explain in detail how each simple machine helps accomplish the final task.
Explain how the 5 subsystems of the machine link together.
Remember you must answer these questions and explain your machine in your own words.
Note that when you submit anything to your teacher, PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR NAME IN THE DOCUMENT TITLE. For example, you might title it something like this:
