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

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)