Physics Block Group Project: Rube Goldberg Machine
Reuben Goldberg (1883-1970) was a San Francisco Bay Area newspaper cartoonist who was famous for
drawing the most outrageously complicated multi-step contraptions to perform the simplest of tasks, for
example, to tee up a golf ball without bending over (see exhibit A). The influence of Rube Goldberg in
popular culture (movies, literature, consumer products, etc.) is everywhere. Can you think of a few
examples of Rube Goldberg machines you have seen?
Exhibit A.
GOAL
To design and construct a complicated device employing the concepts of Physics to perform a simple
task.
RULES AND LIMITS:
1.
No Combustible/Dangerous/Harmful Equipment/Material.
2.
No Preassembled Parts unless approved by teacher.
3.
No Human or Animal Power. Must Be "Self-Powered" (once initiated).
4.
Must be initiated from a single approved Marble.
5.
You must build & demonstrate your device. Hopefully it will work.
6.
Labels must be affixed to your project identifying the various concepts of Physics you are
presenting.
7.
You must have a sign with the name of your machine clearly displayed.
8.
Assembly and storage. You must be able to disassemble (and reassemble) your project each
day. You will need a large container or cardboard box to store your project materials.
9.
Restart. Your project must be restart-able in 2 minutes or less.
10.
Optional Challenge. Try to make your machine work for more than 20 seconds. Or make a
unique sound at 6 seconds. (20 seconds has never been exceeded yet!)
GRADING & ASSESSMENT
During this project, you will receive a “360-degree assessment”. You will assess your own performance
on the project. Then, you will assess your project team members, and they will also assess you. Lastly,
Mr. Kinney will assess you. All this information will be use for your final grade on the project, which
will be about 25% of your grade on the block. In addition to the successful completion and presentation
of your machine, you will be evaluated on your ability to communicate and work effectively with your
team members, your ability to solve problems resourcefully, and your ability to manage your
responsibilities on the project.
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Physics Block Group Project: Rube Goldberg Machine
CONCEPTS OF PHYSICS:
Each group member will be responsible for incorporating and presenting one of the following concepts of
physics into the Rube Goldberg machine. For groups ahead of schedule, additional concepts may be
incorporated into the machine for additional credit.
1st Class Lever
2nd Class Lever
3rd Class Lever
Pulley
Wedge
Inclined Plane
Wheel and Axel
Screw
Gears/Gear Ratio
Force
Work
Mechanical Advantage
Efficiency
Other Concept (Teacher Approved)
GROUP STRUCTURE & SELCTION
Project groups will be organized and assigned differently than past projects. First, each student will
come up with a proposed simple task and artistic concept that will be presented to the entire class. This
is a required step for all students (if a student does not do this they will lose their group preferences
described later and receive a lower credit for the project). Student concepts will be presented to the class
and the class will then select six final concepts for construction.
Those students who have a project concept selected by the class will automatically be assigned to that
project group. They will provide preferences for team members to assign to their project concept. Other
students will provide first, second, third, and fourth choices for their preferred project concept. Mr.
Kinney will try to see that each person receives one of his or her preferences, but cannot guarantee this.
Project teams will be in groups of four to five students.
PROJECT BENCHMARKS (preliminary list – dates subject to change)
BENCHMARK: DESCRIPTION
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
PROJECT ASSIGNMENT AND OVERVIEW
CONCEPT DUE
IN CLASS VOTING
PROJECT PREFERENCES DUE
GROUPS ASSIGNED & AGREEMENTS DOCUMENTED
CONCEPTS OF PHYSICS ASSIGNED/GROUP PLAN
COMPLETE
MATERIALS/TOOLS DUE (IN CONTAINER/BOX)
IN-CLASS CONSTRUCTION (3-DAYS)
IN CLASS REHEARSALS AND TEST RUN
IN CLASS PRESENTATIONS
GROUP MEMBER EVALUATIONS & PROJECT
REFLECTIONS
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COMPLETION
DATE
Today – March 27th
On or before
Friday March 31st
Monday April 3rd
Wednesday April 5th
On or before Friday
April 7th
On or before
Wednesday April 19th
April 21 – 25
Wednesday April 26
Thursday April 27
Friday April 28th
Physics Block Group Project: Rube Goldberg Machine
Name: ________________________
BENCHMARK #2: CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT
Assignment must be completed on this page!!!
In this benchmark you will come-up with your simple task idea (not how it will actually work) and artistic
concept for your Rube Goldberg Device. BE CREATIVE, but remember that you will have to do
something you can actually build and explain! It should be a simple task that does one thing – don’t try
anything with many steps or is too complicated. You will present your idea to the class. Avoid things that
are too messy or dangerous – Mr. Kinney can reject any project he deems inappropriate, or may require
changes to your idea.
SIMPLE TASK DESCRIPTION:
ARTISTIC CONCEPT DESCRIPTION:
Teacher Signoff: ______
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Physics Block Group Project: Rube Goldberg Machine
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Physics Block Group Project: Rube Goldberg Machine
Name: ____________________
BENCHMARK #3: GROUP PREFERENCES
In this benchmark you will come up with your preferences for the group you will work on. Remember
you are not guaranteed what group you will be assigned to.
SIMPLE TASK PREFERENCES #1-5 (this will be kept confidential)
1.
___________________________________
2.
___________________________________
3.
___________________________________
4.
___________________________________
5.
___________________________________
On my partner and group projects this year, I have already worked with (list names): ________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Assigned Group: ______________________________
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Physics Block Group Project: Rube Goldberg Machine
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Physics Block Group Project: Rube Goldberg Machine
BENCHMARK #4: Rube Goldberg Group Agreements
Group Members: __________________ __________________ __________________
___________________ ___________________
The following agreements will make our group successful with our project.
Ten agreements are required. See your Collaboration Rubric for ideas.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Every member of our group agrees to follow these expectations.
Signatures:
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Physics Block Group Project: Rube Goldberg Machine
Teacher Approval: _____
(before these are signed by group members)
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Physics Block Group Project: Rube Goldberg Machine
Name: ________________
BENCHMARK #5: GROUP PROJECT PLAN
In this benchmark you will come up a plan for your Rube Goldberg machine. This will include a list of
contacts in the group, materials needed for the machine, and the assignment of the concepts of physics.
The teacher must sign off your information to receive full credit on this assignment
Contact information: You may need to contact a group member during the project
Partner Name
E-mail address
Phone #
Assignment of Physics Concepts. Each person will be responsible for creating and presenting an
“event” in the Rube Goldberg Machine that demonstrates a concept of Physics we are studying. The list
includes:
1st Class Lever
2nd Class Lever
3rd Class Lever
Pulley
Wedge
Inclined Plane
Wheel and Axel
Screw
Gears/Gear Ratio
Force
Work
Mechanical Advantage
Efficiency
Other Concept (Teacher Approved)
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Physics Block Group Project: Rube Goldberg Machine
Group Member Name
Concept of Physics
Materials Needed. While some tools and materials will be available in the classroom, you need to plan
to supply the majority of tools and materials within your group. It is important to think about how you
are going to put it together and what it is made of.
Materials
Box for materials
Who’s Responsible
Tools
Materials
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Physics Block Group Project: Rube Goldberg Machine
Teacher Signoff: ______
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Physics Block Group Project: Rube Goldberg Machine
Group: _____________________________
BENCHMARK #8: In Class Presentations
In this benchmark, your Rube Goldberg Machine presentation will be assessed against the criteria for the
project.
Scoring
Group Criteria
Machine Theme/Artistry
1
2
3
4
5
Human Intervention
1
2
3
4
5
Task Success
1
2
3
4
5
Clear Labels, Sign
1
2
3
4
5
Restart-able in 2 min
1
2
3
4
5
No Preassembled Parts
1
2
3
4
5
Bonus Criteria
Unique Sound 6 sec
1
2
3
4
5
20 Second Duration
1
2
3
4
5
Total Group Score: _____
Individual Presentation
Script usage and thorough explanation of event(s), Oral presentation skills (posture, projection,
enunciation, etc.)
1. ___________________
1
2
3
4
5
2. ___________________
1
2
3
4
5
3. ___________________
1
2
3
4
5
4. ___________________
1
2
3
4
5
5. ___________________
1
2
3
4
5
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Physics Block Group Project: Rube Goldberg Machine
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Physics Block Group Project: Rube Goldberg Machine
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Physics Block Group Project: Rube Goldberg Machine
Name: ____________________
BENCHMARK #9: Group Member Evaluation
and Project Reflection
Group Task: _____________________
1. Our group collaborated productively and worked well together. EXPLAIN YOUR ANSWER.
1
Strongly Disagree
2
3
4
5
Strongly Agree
2. Our group managed our project effectively. EXPLAIN YOUR ANSWER.
1
Strongly Disagree
2
3
4
5
Strongly Agree
3. List one suggestion you have that would have improved the performance of your group.
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Physics Block Group Project: Rube Goldberg Machine
This section will be kept confidential. Scores will be averaged between the entire group.
4. I did MY PART to make the group successful. Explain why or why not. BE SPECIFIC!
1
Strongly Disagree
2
3
4
5
Strongly Agree
5. Group member __________________ (insert name) did their part to make the group successful. Explain
why or why not. BE SPECIFIC!
1
Strongly Disagree
2
3
4
5
Strongly Agree
6. Group member __________________ (insert name) did their part to make the group successful. Explain
why or why not. BE SPECIFIC!
1
Strongly Disagree
2
3
4
5
Strongly Agree
7. Group member __________________ (insert name) did their part to make the group successful. Explain
why or why not. BE SPECIFIC!
1
Strongly Disagree
2
3
4
5
Strongly Agree
8. Group member __________________ (insert name) did their part to make the group successful. Explain
why or why not. BE SPECIFIC!
1
Strongly Disagree
2
3
4
16
5
Strongly Agree
Physics Block Group Project: Rube Goldberg Machine
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