Rube Goldberg Design Project

Wheel and axle Screw

Inclined planes

Lever Task Statement

 The Liberty Science Center is seeking a display for their lobby that is both appealing to the eye and demonstrates scientific principles. They have asked you to construct a Rube Goldberg device to fulfill their needs. They have sent along a list parameters that must be adhered to during the device’s creation. Project Parameters:

 Safety is the most important factor. Do not design anything that is dangerous. o You may not use: fire or explosives, anything sharp, any chemical reactions, any heat sources, any high voltage.  You design must be approved by me.  You may use as building materials: wood, metal, plastic, paper, string, tape, glue.  You may use power sources: gravity, air, magnets, water, small DC motors, and batteries.  Your entire machine must consist of a minimum of 4 Simple Machines. o A Simple Machine is: a lever, an incline plane, a wheel and axel, a pulley. o All simple machines must operate sequentially such that the output of one simple machine activates the next simple machine. o Identical simple machines that are used consecutively only count as one machine. For example, three levers in a row only count as a single simple machine. Level ground/planes DO NOT COUNT in this project.

Try not to get too complicated. You actually have to build a machine that works!! Grading:

Each Milestone: 10 Points

50 Points for a 4 simple machine project that successfully finishes the completion task. 10 Points subjectively awarded for creativity. 10 Points subjectively awarded for quality of craftsmanship.

50 Points subjectively awarded for the presentation (oral) by the group of the device to the class on the chosen date. Individual grades will be assigned according to the New Providence High School Oral Communication Skills Rubric.

*5 Bonus points added for a 5 simple machine project that successfully finishes the completion task. *10 Bonus points added for a 6 simple machine project that successfully finishes the completion task.

Design Process and Milestones

You are expected to follow the basic 10 step Engineering Design Process. Theses are the specific items that your team needs to deliver for this project:

 Four milestone documents. These documents allow the project manager (me) to determine the progress and status of your project. They will be submitted on the due dates assigned.  Evidence that ALL team members are participating.  A working device that completes the task. This can be setup in class or recorded on video media that can be shown to the class.  An oral presentation describing the design, construction, and operation of the object.

Stage Result 1 Problem Identification A clear written statement of the problem (task). 2 Working Criterion Standards to evaluate the product at each process stage. A statement of objectives. 3 Research Obtain needed information. 4 Idea Generation Everyone takes a few moments of silent thinking. -Brainstorming- No idea is ridiculous! Encourage creativity. Involve everyone, not just the most vocal. Record all ideas without initial evaluation. No discussion during brainstorm. No criticism of ideas (even nonverbally). Build on ideas generated by others in the group. Write all ideas so that others can see them. 5 Potential Solution Analysis Eliminate duplicate ideas. Allow members to ask clarifying questions. Evaluate ideas. *Select top 3 choices* Forms of analysis: common sense, economic (cost), basic engineering principles, estimation, compatibility with objectives, computer models. 6 Model Development and Testing Models: physical, mathematical, pictorial… Types of tests: durability, ease of assembly, reliability, strength, safety. 7 Final Design Decision Evaluate models with respect to working criteria. 8 Communications Start to create design paper (plans). 9 Implementation Construct the product. 10 Assessment How well did the product accomplish the task? Ways to improve?

MILESTONE #1

Detach or copy this sheet. Fill in the identified information. Staple it as a cover sheet to the other papers being submitted (drawings, typed answers to questions).

The goal of this milestone is to demonstrate that your have completed the stated design process steps. Clear, succinct, and informative is valued much more than volume. Milestone 1 covers steps 1 - 4 of the design process.

Team Name

Date this milestone was completed Team members who 1. have contributed to this milestone. 2.

Items to complete for this milestone: (All answers must be typed. Any drawings may be hand drawn.)

1. Perform an internet search for Rube Goldberg.

2. List the websites did you used.

3. State IN YOUR OWN WORDS….the history of Rube Goldberg.

4. State what your machine is going to do (final output) and how it is going to be achieved.

Grade and instructor comments.

MILESTONE #2

The goal of this milestone is to demonstrate that your have completed the stated design process steps. Clear, succinct, and informative is valued much more than volume.

Milestone 3 covers step 5 of the design process. Team Name

Date this milestone was completed Team members who 1. have contributed to this milestone. 2.

1. Based upon your analysis using common sense, economic (cost), basic engineering principles, estimation, and compatibility with objectives; what is your INITIAL PLAN for your Rube Goldberg machine?

2. Provide a labeled sketch as well as a typed explanation. Identify machines used.

3. Explain/Describe the physics principles that will be employed by your device.

4. THE ROLE OF EACH MEMBER IN THE PROJECT. SUPPORTED WITH EVIDENCE.

Grade and instructor comments.

MILESTONE #3

The goal of this milestone is to demonstrate that your have completed the stated design process steps. Clear, succinct, and informative is valued much more than volume.

Milestone 4 covers steps 6 and 7 of the design process.

Team Name Date this milestone was completed Team members who 1. have contributed to this milestone. 2.

1. Based upon your investigation of durability, ease of assembly, reliability, strength, and safety; what is your FINAL PLAN for your Rube Goldberg machine?

2. Provide a labeled sketch as well as a typed explanation.

Grade and instructor comments. NAMES______

Presentation Content and Structure Rubric Team:______Group Score:

Novice Intermediate Master Supreme Master (1) (2) (3) (4) Content of the □ Introduction of team □ Overview of project □ Identification of machines (3 □ Ideas that we discarded. material members goals and type(s)) □ Conclusion (what worked, didn’t work) □ Physics principles demonstrated → → → Organization of the □ Logical Sequence of □ All terms defined □ Smooth transition among □ All members participate material material speakers → → → Quality of visual □ No grammatical □ Easy to read □ Contains relevant graphics □ Graphic animations used to clarify content material errors. (images etc) □ Video/Demo incorporated into presentation

→ → →

Group Grade (0-40) Verbal Presentation 1. Grade (Individual)

4. NAMES______

Project Construction and Performance Rubric Team:______NOVICE Intermediate Master Supreme Master (1) (2) (3) (4) Construction  Device consists of 2 simple  Device consists of 3 simple  Device consists of 4  1 additional machine (+10) machine machines. simple machines  2 additional machines (+20)  Clear evidence of creativity  Device is of unique is displayed. design. → Performance  Device does not complete the  Device partially completes the Device completes the  Allows for repetitive task. task. task. performances. →

Verbal Presentation: Scoring Rubric Score 1 2 3 4 Points Inadequate knowledge of the topic. Good knowledge Very good knowledge Excellent knowledge Content Few supporting details shown. Some supporting shown. Adequate shown. Ample details supporting details. supporting details.

Lacks Focus Satisfactory flow of Logical flow of information Logical and clear flow Organization information of information

None or detract from presentation Not relevant to Relevant but not engaging. Enhances presentation Use of Visuals presentation

No eye contact. Fidgety Minimal eye contact. Sufficient eye contact. Excellent eye contact. Appears nervous Appears comfortable Appears relaxed and Poise confident.

Delivery Low volume. Too fast or too slow. Adequate volume; little Good volume and inflection. Excellent use of voice. Reads presentation. inflection. Irregular Satisfactory pacing but Well-paced. Effective pacing. Satisfactory use didn’t meet time constraints. use of notes of notes Minimal use of notes.