Rube Goldberg Project

Science 8 - Unit D: Mechanical Systems

What is a Rube Goldberg

Device?• Rube Goldberg drew contraptions

that make simple tasks into difficult and complicated ones.

Examples

• Rube Goldberg Website• http://www.rubegoldberg.com/

• Rube Goldberg Project Ideas• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7-oBR7yQeg

• Great Honda Commercial (Rube Goldberg Inspired)• http://autorepair.about.com/library/multimedia/hhonda-ad-3

00k.swf• Best Rube Goldberg Ever

• http://www.break.com/index/best_rube_goldberg_ever.html• Some Grade 8 Project Ideas

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbRmG9cnAjc• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jQXN8SMewo

The Rube Goldberg Project

• Goal:– You must design & build a Rube

Goldberg Device – Your device must have at least 10

steps.– You must incorporate at least 5 out

of 6 simple machines – wheel & axle, pulley, screw,

inclined plane, wedge, and lever

Rules

• The end result is to fill a cup or have a cup cover something

• Work with one partner from your class• You chose the steps & materials• Minimum 10 steps• Must be repeatable (reset & run again)• Must be brought into class (size limit)• Must use at least 5 of the six types of

simple machines• Should not spend more than $10, use

stuff from around the house

Project Expectations

•This project has three parts:–Blueprint–Build Device–Present Device in Class

Task #1 Blue Print

• Create a blueprint (cartoon drawing) of your machine.

• Number each step of your machine (see examples from slides 2, 3 and 4).

• On the back of your drawing, explain each step.

• Also, identify each of the simple machines that you used. • Simple Machines:

• lever - specify which type(s), inclined plane, wheel and axle, screw, wedge,pulley.

– DUE: Friday, February 21, 2014DUE: Friday, February 21, 2014– Worth 20 marksWorth 20 marks

Task #2Build the Device

• Construct a Rube Goldberg machine

which utilizes 5 of the 6 types of simple machines, and consists of ten steps.

• Your machine must complete a task, either filling a cup or putting a ball in a cup or having a cup (or some shell structure) cover something.

• There can be no human assistance in the process once the machine begins.

Task #2 Build the device

• The machine must be self-contained. In other words, if you are turning on a light switch, you will not be allowed to use the classroom's light, so you must bring in your own switch.

Task #2

• The classroom chairs, desks, and tables

can’t be essential to your project.

• In other words, if we took your project

to the next room, it would work the

same.

• Also, you cannot be part of the

machine. For example, you can’t hold

pulleys in the air. They must be

attached.

Possible Materials

• Some Possible Materials:string, candle, mousetrap, paper tube, spools, marbles, Legos, dominoes, tinker-toys, Barbie dolls, hot wheels, weights (sinkers), golf balls, Ping-Pong balls, etc

• If you have any questions about materials that you are unsure of please check with your teacher.

• Remember, the machine should be self-contained

Task #2 Due Date

• Your Completed Machine is due:–DUE: Monday, March 3, 2014DUE: Monday, March 3, 2014

• Late work will be penalized.–1 mark deducted every day machine is 1 mark deducted every day machine is latelate

Task #3Presenting

• You will explain & present your machine to the class.

• You will then show how your machine works.

• BTW your machine will be videotaped!– DUE: Monday, March 3, 2014DUE: Monday, March 3, 2014– Your Machine and Presentation/Test-Run are Your Machine and Presentation/Test-Run are

worth 50 marksworth 50 marks

FAQ

• Can I have a partner?– Yes you may have a partner, but choose wisely. If you want

to do this project alone you may.

• What happens if I am absent?– Being absent does not excuse you from the project. Have a

friend bring the project to school for you.

• How do I get a good grade?– Stay on task– Pull your weight (do not use absence as an excuse)– Take initiative– Pay attention to the small details– Be thorough and have all the required elements to the

project– Do not overlook the blueprint portion of your project

– identify the simple machines you intend on using in detail

Rubric

• Blueprint portion or the assignment18 - 20

• Detailed & completely labeled project, all steps are labeled & explained, all simple machines are used and labeled. Neat and legible.

15-18• Completely labeled project, most of the steps are

labeled & explained, most simple machines are labeled

11-14• Project is only partially labeled, many steps are not

explained, several simple machines are missing labels 0 -10

• Project Labels are incomplete, or unclear or completely missing. Most components (simple machines) are missing

Machine Scoring

1. No human assistance 0-5

2. Self-contained 0-5

3. Completes the assigned task 0-5

4. At least 10 steps involved 0-10

5. Uses all 6 simple machines 0-12

6. Quality/Neatness 0-4

7. Creativity 0-4

8. Presented clearly and confidently 0-5

Constructed Rube Goldberg Machine is out of 50 marks.