directions for designing a rube goldberg

Title:
Overview
Content
Standard(s):
Local/National
Standards:
Primary
Learning
Objective(s):
Designing a Rube Goldberg Machine
In this lesson, students will apply their knowledge of complex and simple
machines to designing a Rube Goldberg Machine. Students will calculate the
mechanical advantage of 3 of the simple machines in their design. Students
should also relate Newton's 3 Laws of Motion to their machine.
Relate velocity, acceleration, and kinetic energy to mass,
distance, force, and time.
National Academy of Science NS.8-12.1 SCIENCE AS INQUIRY As a result
of activities all students should develop • Abilities necessary to do scientific
inquiry • Understandings about scientific inquiry NS.8-12.2 PHYSICAL
SCIENCE As a result of their activities in grades 8-12, all students should
develop an understanding of • Structure of atoms • Structure and properties of
matter • Chemical reactions • Motions and forces • Conservation of energy
and increase in disorder • Interactions of energy and matter
Students demonstrate their understanding of simple machines by designing a
Rube Goldberg machine. This design will be presented to the class along with
a poster.

Materials and
Equipment:
Technology
Resources
Needed:
Background/Pre
paration:
What is needed by teams to build their Rube Goldberg Contraption, Poster,
markers, examples of Rube Goldberg machines, hand-out.
Computer, Internet access
Students should already be exposed to Newton's 3 Laws of Motion. The
students should also know the six simple machines. The students should have
already practiced working mechanical advantage problems.
Procedures/Acti
vities:
1. Student will be designing a complex machine based on the work of Rube
Goldberg.
2. Students should be divided into groups of 3 students. These groups could
be organized so that peer helpers are available for students requiring
additional help.
3. Students are handed pictures of 2-3 Rube Goldberg machines. These could
be found at www.rubegoldberg.com. as well as a variety of other websites.
The students should brainstorm and identify examples of each of the six
simple machines. In addition, see if students can find examples of Newton's 3
Laws of Motion.
4. Students are to design their own Rube Goldberg machine. Groups will
identify a job for their machine to perform. This will then be broken down
into at least 20 steps to make an easy task look difficult.
5. Students will draw their Rube Goldberg machine. Students should number
each of the 6 or more steps in their machine.
6. At least one example of each of the six simple machines should be
identified.
7. On the back of the poster, students need to describe the 6 or more steps
used in their machine.
8. Students need to identify the mechanical advantage of 3 of the simple
machines used in their project.
9. Students will present their project to the class.
(Rube Goldberg official website; Goldberger to go -
http://www.rubegoldberg.com/%20%20;%20%20%20%20http:/www.donpixe
l.com/play/en/060302124616/?page=home)
Rube Goldberg site. This site contains some examples of Rube Goldberg

machines. There are numerous others available online. Goldberger to go-This
site has an interactive game that allows students to modify a Rube Goldberg
machine.
Attachments:**
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Remediation:
Designing a Rube Goldberg Machine.rtf
Students could play an interactive game to modify a Rube Goldberg machine.
http://www.donpixel.com/play/en/060302124616/ Students can refer to
pictures or notes for help.
Each area below is a direct link to general teaching strategies/classroom accommodations for
students with identified learning and/or behavior problems such as: reading or math
performance below grade level; test or classroom assignments/quizzes at a failing level; failure
to complete assignments independently; difficulty with short-term memory, abstract concepts,
staying on task, or following directions; poor peer interaction or temper tantrums, and other
learning or behavior problems.
Presentation of
Material
Time Demands
Attention
Assisting the
Reluctant St
Environment
Materials
Using Groups and Peers
Dealing with Inappropriate Behavior