Rube Goldberg Challenge Summer 2020 Rube Goldberg Engineering Challenge Outline: 1. Introduce Rube Goldberg 2. Learn about simple 3. Explore the possibility of putting these simple machines together as one complex 4. Competitors should brainstorm a Rube Goldberg machine & create a blueprint 5. Competitors build, test, adjust and retest their Rube Goldberg machines 6. Film it! Post it to you favorite social media account with the hashtag #stemchallenge2020 7. Submit a form on https://stem.nmsu.edu/rube-Goldberg-challenge to enter the contest 1. Who was Rube Goldberg? And how does he relate to STEM? ○ Cartoonist, best known for his zany invention cartoons ○ Received an engineering degree from UC Berkley ○ Only person to be listed in Merrial Webster Dictionary as an adjective ○ Created over 50,000 cartoons

Engineering Design Process 2. Simple Machines ○ Watch the Bill Nye video about simple machines: Simple ○ https://www.schooltube.com/video/b92aaeff6cf4431aa6c7/Bill%20Nye%20- Machines %20Simple%20Machines

Competitors try to create each of the following: ○ - changes the size and direction of forces. The function of a lever is to release or set an item’s position. The middle pivot point is call the fulcrum. ○ & Axle – reduces friction and force needed to move an object. The function of a wheel and axle is to create movement using a circular movement. ○ (Ramp) - spreads out the work/force over a long distance. Simple An inclined plane’s function is to serve as an angled transition between Machines two uneven points. (Contd.) ○ - a ramp wrapped around a . A screw’s function is to hold two items together in a fixed position.

○ - changes the direction of the force. A pulley’s function is to move an item from one place to another.

○ Wedge – used to separate or connect two items. A good example is an axe used to cut wood. The wedge is the blade attached to the handle that is used to drive the log into two separate pieces. 3. Put the Simple Machines Together Watch videos and begin brainstorming. Wheel Ramp

Screw Pulley Lever Wedge 4. Select a Task & Create a Blueprint Ask your family to help you solve a task and draw a bluprint! Possible ideas to get the competitors thinking: Select a Task for Your q Turn a light off q Squeeze toothpaste onto a toothbrush Machine q Crush a soda can q Turn off an alarm clock

q Drop a bottle in a recycling bin q Put food in the pet bowl

q Water a plant q Bring an item to you, like a pair of shoes

q Plant seeds in a pot of soil q The list goes on and on!

q Pop a balloon

q Fill a glass with water

q Shut a door Use paper and pencil to draw a plan: Create a v Engineers plan their designs before building! Blueprint v Brainstorm! Draw several designs and select the best one! v Approve your plan with an adult prior to beginning to build! v Collect your materials prior to building to make sure you have everything you want! v Get creative! 5. Build, Test, Adjust and Retest! Engineering Design Process Select a task

Identify Brainstorm problem areas & make improvements Blueprint

Begin Building & Testing ○ Collect all of the materials you will use. Use the “Simple Supplies” list to check off the items you are using to create your simple Materials machines found on the “Simple Machines” list. ○ Remember, you earn 1 point for each unique item you use from the supply list (30 points max for supplies)! You earn 5 points for each from the list (5 points max for each machine)! ○Look all over the house for various unique items to add to your project. ○Adult supervision is required for using items that you know you cannot use alone! Be sure an adult is helping you! A Rube Goldberg machine is, in its essence, a trial-and-error thing.

- Adam Sadowsky Have fun! Need help? Reach out to us with questions at [email protected]