High School Grade
  • Project
  • 1 week

"Motion Commotion: Rube Goldberg Gadget Gala"

Morgan R

Purpose

Design a Rube Goldberg machine that creatively addresses a global issue, such as renewable energy or water conservation, by demonstrating the principles of forces and motion. This project encourages you to explore engineering design solutions, optimizing your machine for performance and reliability. Through collaboration with local engineers and peers, you will gain insights into real-world problem-solving and innovation. The project culminates in a public exhibition, allowing you to share your learning and raise awareness of important global challenges.

Learning goals

Develop a comprehensive understanding of forces and motion, including gravity, friction, and momentum, and how they influence the design and functionality of a Rube Goldberg machine. Enhance problem-solving skills by testing and optimizing the machine's performance to achieve a specific outcome. Cultivate collaboration and communication abilities through teamwork and interactions with community partners. Foster creativity by integrating a global issue theme into your machine's design, promoting awareness and potential solutions. Reflect on personal growth and learning experiences throughout the project, focusing on both technical skills and emotional resilience.
Standards
  • NGSS - HS-PS2-1: Analyze data to support the claim that Newton’s second law of motion describes the mathematical relationship among the net force on a macroscopic object, its mass, and its acceleration.
  • NGSS - HS-ETS1-2: Design a solution to a complex real-world problem by breaking it down into smaller, more manageable problems that can be solved through engineering.
  • Common Core - CCSS.MATH.PRACTICE.MP4: Model with mathematics.

Products

Design a Rube Goldberg machine that creatively incorporates a theme related to a current global issue such as renewable energy or water conservation. Demonstrate how forces and motion can be applied to create awareness and propose solutions through your machine's operation. Prepare a detailed presentation that explains the design process, the scientific principles applied, and the impact of the chosen theme on the global issue.

Launch

Begin the project with a 'Chain Reaction Challenge' where you work in small teams to create a mini Rube Goldberg machine using limited materials. This activity will spark creativity and foster collaboration as you explore the basic principles of forces and motion. Use this opportunity to experiment with different design elements and gain initial insights into the complexities of building a larger, more intricate machine.

Exhibition

Invite community members, peers, and family to a 'Design and Motion Fair' where you showcase your Rube Goldberg machine. Set up interactive stations that allow visitors to engage with your machine, explaining the principles of forces and motion it demonstrates. Highlight how your machine's theme addresses a global issue, encouraging discussions on potential solutions. Create an engaging and informative experience that educates attendees on the scientific concepts and creative processes behind your design.