Rube Goldberg Project description (google doc or pdf) and below
Partner and Self-Evaluation (pdf)
Links that I like:
Rube Goldberg ideas - individual energy transfer ideas demonstrated
Another class' project page - scroll down to the bottom to see a picture with energy transfers listed next to it.
A whole house at home project - done for an 8th grade final
Suggestions for how to make a simple Rube Goldberg Machine from around the house stuff
Six Rube Goldberg Machines - all different and shorter like yours
Official OK GO "This Too Shall Pass" music video
Mythbuster's Christmas inspired Rube Goldberg machine
2014 Rube Goldberg Machine Winners on Jimmy Kimmel Live
Intro to Japanese show - this show had a short Rube Goldberg machine at the beginning of every episode
Requirements:
You and your group must design a device that has 6 energy transfers.
Types of energy that you must have in your machine: Kinetic Energy, Potential Energy due to Gravity, and Elastic Potential Energy.
Your machine may be started by your group but must run on its own until the end.
All machines must start and end at “ground level” so that the end of one board can feed into another. You will be working with other groups so that these transitions work well.
At least one energy transformation must be 20 cm above the board.
In class Testing:
Once your machine starts it must go all the way to the end continuously. If one part fails you can reset and start it again (-5 points each time) until it runs successfully.
Project Paper:
As a group you will write a project paper that explains each step and each energy exchange. For example: “The dominos are started on one side and each falls to the next. The final domino hits a marble so it does work on the marble to increase its Kinetic Energy.” Your paper should include why you constructed each energy transfer the way you did and describe the materials you chose. A good collaboration tool will be using your school email accounts and google docs.
Grading:
You will receive points for each work day in class. (5 points each day)
Your group will receive a group grade based on the in class test. (50 points)
Your group will receive a group grade for your project paper (25 points)
You will grade your partners’ participation and level of effort as well as reflect on your own. (15 points)
Materials:
Board to mount your machine on (provided by teacher)
Anything you can find* (provided by your group and teacher when possible)
*Materials from the game “Mousetrap,” K’Nex, and Erector sets are not allowed!
Things your teacher has that you can use:
Dominoes, Pape, Tape, Scissors, Marbles, Cups, String, CDs, Popsicle sticks, Elastic string, Small cars, Tools (hammers, screwdrivers, nails, etc.)