RUBE GOLDBERG MACHINE

YEAR NINE SRT

2
 Rube Goldberg Project - Rubric
Criteria
Section
Knowledge and
understanding
Blue Print Drawing No drawing. Does not show entire Complete, with portions that Complete, easy to Complete, easy to understand, well-
project, or incomplete. are difficult to understand. understand, well-labeled. labeled, organized, neat.

Steps well labeled on
drawing/photo with step
number, and description of
what will happen.
Transformations of energy
identified and accurately
written out along with blue
print.
(5 energy types)
Number of steps in Rube
Goldburg before achieving
the goal.
Number of simple machines
used.
Section 2
Communication
Apparatus or video is
physically in the room and
holds together.
Presentation Quality
No labels
No transformations of
energy accurately written
out.
0 steps
Only 1 simple machine
type used.
No apparatus or video. Apparatus or video is in
Student does not
participate in presentation
Steps labeled. Steps labeled correctly. Steps labeled correctly in Steps labeled correctly in sequence,
sequence. with a description of each step.
1 Transformation of 2 transformations of energy 3 Transformations of energy 4-5 Transformations of energy
energy accurately accurately written out. accurately written out. accurately written out and included.
written out.
1-2 steps 3-4 Steps 5-6 Steps 7 or more steps
2 different simple 3 different simple machine 4 different simple machine 5-6 different simple machine types are
machine types are types are used. types are used. used.
used.
Apparatus or video is in the Apparatus or video is in the room, does not fall apart, and appears to be
the room. room, and does not fall apart. well-constructed.
Student participates Presentation is given but Clear description of project is given during presentation.
minimally in information is unclear at
presentation times.

Apparatus works Apparatus does not work. Apparatus works after Apparatus works after 2 Apparatus works on the first or second trial.
more than 2 trials. trials.

Correct identification of the
simple machines in the
project.
Transformations of energy
are described correctly
during presentation.
Incorrect identification of Correct identification of Correct identification of 75% Correct identification of 80%-100% of the simple machines in the project
the simple machines in 50% of the simple of the simple machines in the
the project. machines in the project
project.
0 Transformations of 1 Transformation of 2-3 Transformations of 4-5 Transformations of energy are described correctly.
energy are described energy is described energy are described
correctly correctly correctly
 Rube Goldberg Project - Rubric
UnderstandingAnd Knowledge

A B C D E

The students work shows evidence of:

Comprehensive knowledge Thorough knowledge and Satisfactory knowledge and Some knowledge and Minimal or shows no knowledge
and understanding of understanding of concepts, facts and understanding of concepts, understanding of concepts, and understanding of concepts,
concepts, facts and procedures with respect to Simple facts and procedures with facts and procedures with facts and procedures with respect
procedures with respect to machines and related physics of respect to Simple machines respect to Simple machines to Simple machines and related
Simple machines and energy. and related physics of and related physics of energy. physics of energy.
related physics of energy. energy.

In depth analysis and Thorough analysis and justification to Satisfactory justification to Some justification to propose Minimal or no justification to
Investigating

justification to draw well- draw well-reasoned conclusions about draw well-reasoned obvious conclusions about propose conclusions about the
reasoned conclusions about the design of the Rube Goldberg conclusions about the design the design of the Rube design of the Rube Goldberg
the design of the Rube machine. of the Rube Goldberg Goldberg machine. machine.
Goldberg machine. machine.

Very clear and accurate Clear and accurate communication Sound communication using Disjointed communication Unclear communication using
communication using using appropriate grammar, structure, appropriate grammar, using some appropriate some grammar, structure, spelling,
Communication

appropriate grammar, spelling, and terminology. structure, spelling, and grammar, structure, spelling, and terminology.
structure, spelling, and terminology. and terminology.
terminology.

Comprehensive Thorough explanation of strengths Satisfactory explanation of Basic explanation of Limited explanation of strengths
explanation of strengths and weaknesses of building and strengths and weaknesses of strengths and weaknesses of and weaknesses of building and
Reflection

and weaknesses of building design. building and design. building and design. design.
and design.
Introduction
Rube Goldberg was a cartoonist famous for creating diagrams that showed an extremely
complicated, complex way to accomplish simple, ordinary tasks. You, too, will follow in the
creative footsteps of Mr. Goldberg on the path to simple machine invention.

Task
You will design and build a working Rube Goldberg machine, a very complicated machine to
perform a simple everyday task. You will keep a journal of your progress.

Process
You will design and build a working Rube Goldberg machine, a very complicated machine to
perform a simple everyday task.

Review sample Rube Goldberg cartoons at the Official Rube Goldberg site and the Rube
Goldberg Gallery. You may also view many sample Rube Goldberg machine videos on the
internet.

Machine Requirements
You may create your own machine, or work in a group of 1-3 students. At the end of the project,
we will combine all of the machines to assemble a large Rube Goldberg machine to perform a
task.

The requirements for each individual machine include elements of simple machines, force,
motion and energy:

Simple Machines

Machine must demonstrate at least ONE of the following simple machines:

o Pulley
o Lever
o Wedge
o Wheel and Axle
o Inclined Plane
o Screw
Mr. Fields Rube Goldberg Project 5
Force, Motion and Energy

Machine must demonstrate at least TWO of the following:

o Wave (sound or mechanical) o

Collision
o Chemical reaction
o Temperature change o
Magnetism
o Electricity
o Change of motion (acceleration) o
Light

Machine must demonstrate ALL of the following:

o Potential Energy
o Kinetic Energy
o Inertia
o Momentum
o Speed

Machine must transfer energy from start to finish, adding energy for the next machine. The
amount of force that exits your machine must be MORE than what begins it.

60 cm
Construction Requirements

Machine must be no larger than 60 cm x 60 cm x 60 cm. This will be

small. Use small parts. Machine must be able to complete the process
more than once. Parts can be replaceable, but you shouldnt have to
rebuild it. 60 cm
Use trash or recyclable items for your machine. However, you may
need to purchase things like marbles, magnets or dominoes. Think
creatively.
You may build prototypes at home, but be prepared to construct the
final product in class. You will have several days of class time for
construction. 60 cm

Other Details

Your machine may begin by a force from your hand or from another machine. You may
coordinate with another machine to align your entry and exit points.
You cannot touch the machine after it starts
Mr. Fields Rube Goldberg Project 6

Mr. Fields Rube Goldberg Project 7

Plan an investigation
What will your device look like? What will it do? What properties of physics will it demonstrate? Use
the next page as a worksheet to brainstorm.

Investigate each of the six simple machines. How do they work? What function could they serve
your machine?

Design an experiment surrounding this. How will you collect data?

Purpose/Objective: Explain why you are doing this lab. What do you want to find out? (1-2
sentences)

Hypothesis: What do you think the outcome of this lab will be? (1-2 sentences)

Background Information: Collect information relevant to the lab. Use the past and current
textbook chapters to identify what you already know about the subject. Use key terms! This
section should be about two paragraphs.

Materials: Create a bullet pointed list of the materials you need for this lab. Be specific!

Procedures: Create a numbered list of the steps you will follow to complete this lab.

Data Collected/Observations: Use this section to write down measurements, observations

made, and other information you are required to collect as you perform the lab.
Mr. Fields Rube Goldberg Project 8

When you are designing your experiment, it may be helpful to first consider what data is
related to your machine. Use this worksheet to help you brainstorm for designing your
experiment.

Simple machine to investigate: ____________________________

Brainstorm all of the data you could collect regarding this machine. Check the box next to a
category of observation that would be useful to your investigation.

State of
Area Force Pliability matter
Color Function Position Structure
 Conductivit
y Hardness Purpose Texture
Cycle Height Quantity Time
Density Length Resources Transparency
Depth Luster Shape Volume
Malleabilit
Direction y Size Weight
Ductility Mass Sound Width
Environme Source of
nt Material energy
Flexibility Motion Speed Are there other forms of data that
might be useful to investigate?

What will you focus your investigation on? Are you

comparing one machine with changing forces, or
changing the size or type of machine using the
same force?

What is your independent variable? _______________________

This is what you will change in your experiment.

What is your dependent variable? _______________________

This is what will remain constant in your experiment.

Now create a bulleted list of materials you will

need. Consider what you need to specify. Think
about size, quantity, quality and condition. Also
think about what lab equipment you will need for
measurements or safety.

Next create a numbered list of procedures. Be as

specific as possible. You need to provide
instructions that any student in the class could
follow.
Mr. Fields Rube Goldberg Project 9

Experiment for Rube Goldberg

Student Names:

Machine you will be experimenting with (check one). This is NOT the design for your machine. This
is an experiment to better understand simple machines.
 Levers Inclined plane Wedge Compare all six

Pulleys Wheel and axle Screw

Purpose/Objective:

Hypothesis:

Independent variable (what you will be changing):

Dependent variable (what will respond to your changes):

Materials:

Mr. Fields Rube Goldberg Project 12

Conduct an investigation
Conduct your experiment. Use your data to determine which simple machines will best serve your
machine.

Write a lab report including the background information, data and conclusion.

Plan your machine

Plan your machine and submit a proposal to Mrs Freeman
Identify your group members and your goals for the machine.
Draw some diagrams of your Rube Goldberg machine design. Create a materials list of what you will
need. Include building materials as well as tools and safety equipment necessary.
Mr. Fields Rube Goldberg Project 13

Rube Goldberg Project Proposal

A complete project proposal includes two pages of diagrams and a materials list. You may not begin
construction until your proposal is approved by Mrs Freeman

Theme:

What simple machine(s) will you use in your project?

What two (or more) physics options will you use in your project?
Mr. Fields Rube Goldberg Project 14

Rube Goldberg Machine Diagrams

Top View Side View

Detail View
 Mr. Fields Rube Goldberg Project 15

Rube Goldberg Machine Diagrams

Front View
Mr. Fields Rube Goldberg Project 16

Rube Goldberg Machine Materials List

Building Materials
Material Quantity Size Weight Dimensions Purpose

Tools for construction

Material Quantity Size Weight Dimensions Purpose

Safety Equipment
Material Quantity Size Weight Dimensions Purpose

Mr. Fields Rube Goldberg Project 17

Ask questions about data
What else do you need to know? How can the data tell you best way to build your machine? Think
about speed, vectors, velocity, angles, mass, etc. You may need to investigate further to determine
the best way to build your machine.

Evaluate the experimental design

How much force is needed to start the machine? How much force exits the machine? Describe the
types of energy transferred in the device.

Visit http://learn.fi.edu/guide/hughes/energychangeex.html for examples of types of energy. How

much time will your machine take to run? What is the speed of energy transfer at each step?

What changes do you need to make to the design? Is there something in the plans that will not work
for this project? Why? What is the limiting factor?
Mr. Fields Rube Goldberg Project 18

Develop a model
Draw a diagram of your planned final device. Label what happens at each point of energy
transfer. Identify each simple machine or physics concept employed.

Design a device
Draw a labeled diagram of your machine with instructions of your steps for construction. How will
you attach the parts? What size or weight does each part need to be? (Use metric
measurements!)

Construct the device

After assembling the materials in the classroom, build your Rube Goldberg machine.

Test the device

Conduct at least five test runs to ensure that your machine is reliable. Make sure that the force
required to start the machine is still less than the force that exits the machine.
 Measure velocity changes along the way. For example:
Time 1:12 1:59 2:36 2:56 3:16
Position (cm) 3,0,0 5,0,0 11,0,0 5,0,0 3,0,0
Displacement 2 6 6 2
Velocity (in cm/sec) 0 7 15 -15 -4

If your device includes a temperature change, record changes in temperature.

Mr. Fields Rube Goldberg Project 19

Present arguments using evidence

Now that you have designed, experimented, studied, tested, revised, constructed and
analyzed your Rube Goldberg machine, it is time to share your experience in writing.

Write a six paragraph report explaining how you fulfilled the requirements of this project. Think of
yourself as a scientist sharing your findings. Explain so someone from another school could
understand what you have done, how you did it, and what it all meant.

Your report must be typed.

Your report must be in Times New Roman or Arial font.
Your report must be in 12 point font.
Your report may be submitted electronically or printed.

Your report must be structured like this:

I. Introduction
a. The purpose of this project is to gain a greater
understanding of physics concepts by using them
to construct a machine.
b. This report will describe the design process.
c. This report will also describe how physics
concepts are demonstrated in the machine.
AI. Process
a. Planning and conducting investigation.
b. Analyzing data and design
c. Modeling and design
d. Construction and testing
e. Include at least one drawing or picture III. Simple
machines
 a. What simple machine(s) did you use, and how
did they help the device?
IV. Physics concept choices
a. Which two physics concepts did you choose to
demonstrate in your machine?
i. Wave (sound or mechanical)
ii. Collision
iii. Chemical reaction
Mr. Fields Rube Goldberg Project 20

iv. Temperature change

v. Magnetism
vi. Electricity
vii. Change of motion (acceleration)
viii.Light
b. Define the concept, and use evidence to describe how
it was used in your machine.
V. Physics basics
a. Define the concept, and use evidence to describe how
it was used in your machine.
i. Potential Energy
ii. Kinetic Energy
iii. Inertia
iv. Momentum
v. Speed
VI. Conclusion and reflection
a. How did your machine help you understand the way
physics works?
b. What would you change or do differently if you were
asked to build another machine?
Mr. Fields Rube Goldberg Project 21

Rube Goldberg Report Rough Draft

Write down some words and phrases of ideas of what to write for each part of your report.
I. Introduction
a. ________________________________________________________________
b. ________________________________________________________________
c. ________________________________________________________________
AI. Process
a. ________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
b. ________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
 c. ________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
d. ________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
e. ________________________________________________________________
III. Simple machines
a. ________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
IV. Physics concept choices
a. Which two physics concepts did you choose to demonstrate in your machine?
i. ___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
ii. ___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
b. Define the concept, and use evidence to describe how it was used in your
machine.
i. ___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
ii. ___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
Mr. Fields Rube Goldberg Project 22

V. Physics basics
a. Define the concept, and use evidence to describe how it was used in your machine.
i. Potential Energy
1. _____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
ii. Kinetic Energy
1. _____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
iii. Inertia
1. _____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
 _____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
iv. Momentum
1. _____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
v. Speed
1. _____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
VI. Conclusion and reflection
a. ________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
b. ________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________