2012 Rube Goldberg Proje Rube Goldberg Project Guidelines oject ...

2012 Rube Goldberg Project Guidelines
Objective:
Each student or group of students will construct a Rube Goldberg machine consisting of cons consecutive cons
energy transfers that will result in inflating and popping a balloon in two separate mechanical steps. steps
Who o was Rube Goldberg and wh what is a Rube Goldberg Machine?
Rube Goldberg (1883 – 1970) was a Pulitzer Prize winning cartoonist, sculptor, and author. Goldberg
became renowned for creating absurdly connected machines that functioned in extremely complex and
roundabout ways in order to accomplish a very basic task. While most machines made complex tasks
much simpler, Goldberg’s inventions worked in reverse – transforming a simple task into a complicated
sequence of energy transfers.

Requirements:
1. You may work alone or in groups of up to three people to construct your Rube Goldberg machine.
2. If you work alone or in a pair, your machine must consist of at least seven (7) distinct energy
transfers that lead to the final step of watering the plant. If you work in a group of three, you must
utilize ten (10) distinct energy transfers. While these are the minimum requirements, you are
encouraged to do more.
3. Teams will be given 3 attempts to accomplish the task on the day of the testing. For each trial that
fails, 5 points will be deducted from the score.
4. In addition to the completion of the basic task, your group must produce a step-by-step explanation
of your Rube Goldberg machine. Explanations should include schematic drawings or digital pictures
depicting each energy transfer and the setup of your machine. While the explanations and drawings
will not be graded based on artistic ability, they should clearly explain and depict the energy
transfers occurring and be professional in nature.
5. In order to keep your group on track, you must submit a rough version of your step-by-step
explanation by December 21, 2010 as a progress check.
6. The testing of the machines will take place on January 10, 2010 during class in room 256.
Therefore you must set up the machine either before class (in the morning or the previous
afternoon) or during class.
7. You may bring your own balloon or use the balloon that is provided by Mr. Rice.
8. All machines will also be judged for originality, design and entertainment.
a. A vote will be held to decide which machine has the overall best design or theme
b. A vote will be held to decide the single most original energy transfer across all machines
c. A vote will be held to decide the most entertaining machine overall
Grading:
At least 7 energy transfers (10 for trios) 40 points (2 extra points for each additional energy
transfer, without exceeding 100 points total)
Successful completion of task 15 points (5 point deduction for each failed trial)
Step-by-Step Explanation with diagrams 30 points
Progress Check 15 points
Total 100 points (plus any bonus points)
Three Bonus competitions
a. Best design/theme—Vote
b. Most original energy transfer—Vote
c. Most entertaining overall—Vote
Each bonus competition can earn you 5 bonus
points, and these points can be added even if they
increase your score beyond the perfect 100 points
(These are the most valuable bonus points to get)

Action-Day Performance Rubric
Qualifying Energy Transfers (40+ points)
If you work alone or in a pair, your machine must consist of at least seven (7) distinct energy transfers that lead to
the final steps of inflating and popping the balloon. If you work in a group of three, you must utilize ten (10)
distinct energy transfers. While these are the minimum requirements, you are encouraged to do more.
Clarification on the descriptions used for a single “distinct energy transfer”
• Must be documented in the Step-by-Step Explanation handed in on Action-Day
• Kinetic energy is transferred by some means from one object to another
Ex: A falling baseball lands in a cup that pulls on a string…
o If electrical systems are used (it is encouraged for diversity) an isolated electrical component can
only count for a maximum of two transitions: an input and output
Input example: a level lowers on to an electrical button
Output example: a motor (turned on by the button) pulls a string
o Repeating series
A locally repeating process counts as one object with two transitions: an input and an
output (Ex: a series of dominoes counts as one object, with an input to start the first
domino to fall, and an output the last domino causes to happen)
Any energy transition can only qualify once and, if repeated elsewhere in the machine,
will only be counted once.
• Inflating the balloon and popping the balloon must happen in two distinct energy steps.
o The use of professionally manufactured electric inflators (i.e. air-mattress inflators) will receive a
5 point deduction in your overall score, and are discouraged.
o The balloon cannot pop itself through over inflation
o The balloon cannot pop by inflating into a stationary needle
Energy Transfer 1 Energy Transfer 2 Energy Transfer 3 Energy Transfer 4 Energy Transfer 5
Quick description: Quick description: Quick description: Quick description: Quick description:
Energy Transfer 6 Energy Transfer 7 Energy Transfer 8 Energy Transfer 9 Energy Transfer 10
Quick description: Quick description: Quick description: Quick description: Quick description:
6pts/transfer for pairs or smaller
Successful Completion of Task (15 points)
Teams will be given 3 attempts to accomplish the task on the day of the testing. For each trial that fails, 5 points
will be deducted from the score. A smiley will be drawn at your successful attempt below.
Trial #1____________ Trail #2____________ Trial #3___________ Score Earned_______________
Running Time: ______________________________

Step-by-Step Explanation
The images and descriptions will be graded based on the following requirements. Each individual
transition is scored separately, and those scores are compiled to determine the grade for the report.
1. Images, which can be hand-drawn or photographed (3pts max)
a. Clearly show the energy transfer
b. Energy input, potential, and output is labeled
i. Arrows or circles that clarify where the energy is coming from and going to
2. Explanation of energy transition (7pts max)
a. Identify the kinetic (or other) energy that is used to start the energy transition(1pt)
b. Identify the potential energy that must be stored for the transition to work(2pts)
c. Describe the type of energy output- what happens as a result of the transition(2pts)
d. Describe a plausible problem that could cause this transition to fail(2pts)
i. HINT: This may be something that you have to consider during construction
Energy Transfer 1 Energy Transfer 2 Energy Transfer 3 Energy Transfer 4 Energy Transfer 5
Picture: Picture: Picture: Picture: Picture:
Explanation: Explanation: Explanation: Explanation: Explanation:
Energy Transfer 6 Energy Transfer 7 Energy Transfer 8 Energy Transfer 9 Energy Transfer 10
Picture: Picture: Picture: Picture: Picture:
Explanation: Explanation: Explanation: Explanation: Explanation:
Total score earned: _____________/( X transitions needed_____)= Score percentage _____________
Score percentage (from above) X 30pts = final score __________________

* **There is always a
capacity for this
document to change.
An attempt to note any
changes will be made in
class.