Project - Rube Goldberg Machine

RUBE GOLDBERG MACHINE
HOME PROJECT
The goal of this complex, yet entertaining, device is to complete one of the
four tasks below. You may complete the assignment in a group of 3, with a
partner, or on your own. Your Rube Goldberg machine must be made up of at
least 6 simple and/or complex machines (for example a machine that pulls a
weight up a ramp). Choose these machines from the following list.
Class 1 lever
Wheel and axle
Gear
Your Rube
-
Class 2 lever
Inclined plane
Linkage
Class 3 lever
Wedge
Pulley
Screw
Goldberg device must complete ONE of the following tasks:

Crush a grape
Pop a balloon
Blow out a candle
Fill a container with water
You must have 6 machines being used in different ways. Remember a minimum of 6 machines
is required. You can however use the same machine more than once, but it will only be counted
once. Your machine must run for a minimum of 20 seconds, and be no longer than 2
minutes in length.
*PRIOR TO BUILDING YOUR MACHINE, your group must create a complete diagram and
description that labels each of the simple machines used, and the role of each simple machine
in your machine.
There is no need to buy any materials for this project. Many materials can be made out of
household items and findings. Inclined planes can be made from cardboard, pulleys from thread
bobbins, wheels and axles from jar lids and coat hangers. Parts from Lego and Knex kits work
very well, however they should only be used as portions of the machine. The machine should
not be comprised entirely from these pieces.
If you choose to bring in your machine to the school, the base of the machine must not exceed
a size of 2ft x 2ft. You are encouraged to complete the machine at home and video your
machine running. All of your group members must appear throughout the video. The video can
then be handed in on a disc/flash drive or uploaded to a video sharing site, such as YouTube.
Have fun and remember this project is based on your teams ability to understand simple and
complex machines and how they work together. Parental assistance if required is acceptable to
a point but the project should be designed and built by your team.
Diagram and Description DUE: Tuesday, December 9

Rube Goldberg Machine DUE: Tuesday, December 16
PROJECT RUBRIC:
Complete Diagram and Description
Information /
Content
Display
Graphics /
Photos
Neatness
Level 4
The information clearly
and accurately
described the machines
and how it all worked.
The diagram and
description was done
exceptionally well and
was very easy to read.
Perfect balance
between information
and graphics. Pictures
are clear and easy to
understand.
The layout of the
diagram is outstanding!
It is very clear that time
and effort was put into
the creation of the
diagram and
description.
Level 3
The information was
well presented. Good
descriptions of the
machines.
Diagram was well
created and a visible
amount of effort is
seen in the diagram.
Good use of graphics.
Pictures are clear and
easy to understand.
Level 2
The information was
unclear in areas.
Little content was
provided in detail.
Diagram is not easy
to read or is hard to
read.
Level 1
Little to no
information or
content on the
machines being used.
Diagram is not done
or is very difficult to
read.
Too little / too many

graphics. Some
images are difficult to
understand.
No graphics on the
poster.
Diagram is very well

done and neatly
completed. A visible
amount of time was
spent creating the
diagram and
description.
Diagram is complete,
but looks rushed and
is not very appealing
to the reader. More
time could have really
helped the diagram
and description.
Diagram is not done

or has been
completed with very
little time or effort
visible. No thought of
description was
taken into
consideration.
Rube Goldberg Machine

Machine
Operation
Construction
Structural
Integrity
Complexity
Level 4
The machine easily
completed one of the
tasks that was
provided.
The machine was
constructed
completely by the
builders. All parts
were creatively
constructed from
scratch.
The machine was built
strongly and didnt
break during use.
The design
incorporated 6+
simple machines.
Level 3
The design
successfully completed
the task but needed
some intervention.
The machine was
constructed by the
builders. There were a
few parts used that
were not of original
design.
Level 2
The machine only
partially completed
the task.
Level 1
The machine did not
work at all.
The machine was

built, however many
of the parts were not
of original design and
were pre-made parts.
None of the machine

was created by the
builder. The machine
was not original in
design.
The machine was

strong, but showed
some instability in one
area.
The design
incorporated 4-5
simple machines.
The machine was

built but was very
clearly unstable and
not well constructed.
The design
incorporated 3-4
simple machines.
The machine was

poorly built and was
not stable at all.
The design utilized 13 simple machines.

Project - Rube Goldberg Machine

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Project - Rube Goldberg Machine

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Project - Rube Goldberg Machine

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

RUBE GOLDBERG MACHINE

Goldberg device must complete ONE of the following tasks:

Diagram and Description DUE: Tuesday, December 9

Too little / too many

Diagram is very well

Diagram is not done

Rube Goldberg Machine

The machine was

None of the machine

The machine was

The machine was

The machine was

You might also like