A RUBE GOLDBERG STYLE CONTRAPTION
Requirements
1. Must include 4 different types of simple machines.
2. Must include a simple machine that lifts a load using a lighter item to lift a
heavier item (full points if heavier load weighs twice the lighter item.)
3. Must incorporate an electronic device to transfer energy from electric potential to
mechanical energy.
4. Must involve at least 16 unique steps.
5. Must begin with a marble rolling down a hill
6. Must end with the filling of a dog dish.
7. All parts of the Device must fit within an imaginary box (200 cm x 100 cm x 100
cm) before, during and after the Device's operation.
8. Must include a creative theme.
9. Entire run time must be between 60 seconds and 120 seconds.
10. Write up must include a list of steps, and energy transfers between each step.
(Sample of 1st line from list of steps and energy transfer:
Step 1: Marble rolls down hill.
Energy transfer: Gravitational potential energy of marble transfers to
kinetic energy of marble.)
11. A video recording of the entire device working, accompanied by an introduction
by the group.
DEFINITION OF SIMPLE MACHINES: A Simple Machine is a device that multiplies, divides or
changes the direction of an applied force for the purpose of moving a load. The 8 types of simple
machines listed below may earn points. Each of the 3 classes of levers is considered a different
type of machine for scoring.
Note: A lever is a rigid bar that pivots to exert a force. All levers must have an identifiable
fulcrum, load and effort. The load and the effort cannot be one and the same.
a) Class 1 Lever – the fulcrum is between the load and the effort.
b) Class 2 Lever – the load is between the fulcrum and the effort.
c) Class 3 Lever – the effort is between the fulcrum and the load.
d) Inclined Plane – a slope that reduces the effort required to move a load. To be counted the
load must be moved upward along a slope at least 10 cm and must not descend back down the
slope.
e) Wedge – a wedge-shaped moving object that is driven under a load to lift it or into a load to
split or separate it. To count, the load must be lifted up or separated a distance of at least 1
cm.
f) Screw – a rotating spiral-shaped inclined plane. To earn points the screw must rotate at least
360 degrees and the load must be moved at least 1 cm in a linear direction.
g) Wheel & Axle – a rotating device that exerts a rotational force at its center (axle) when its
outer part (wheel) is turned or vice versa. If the input force is applied to the axle then the output
force must come from the wheel or vice versa. A set of gears connected by teeth and a set of
wheels connected by a continuous drive belt are considered a valid Wheel & Axle. To count both
the wheel and axle must rotate at least 360 degrees. A wheel used simply to reduce friction is not
a Wheel & Axle, so a rolling car does not count.
h) Pulley – a wheel or set of wheels around which a single length of rope or string passes to
move a load. The direction of force must be changed by at least 90 degrees to earn points.
Rube Goldberg Scoring Rubric
Includes 4 different simple 0
machines
no simple
machines
Lifts a larger load
0
Load is not
heavier than
applied
force
Incorporates an electronic
0
device that transfers energy Not
from electric potential to
included
mechanical
Includes 16 unique steps
0
Begins with a marble
Fills a Dog Dish
0
0
No dog
food or dish
Correct size
(200cm x100cm x100cm)
Run time
0
0
either
finishes in
less than 15
seconds or
more than
165 seconds
Completes entire device on 0
either first or second try (in 4 or more
class)
helps
List of steps is included,
0
matches device
Energy transfer between
0
steps is included, and
accurate
Creative Theme
0
Video of working project
0
4 or more
helps
Total Points
2
1 simple
machine
2
Load is
slightly
bigger than
applied force
4
2 simple
machines
4
Load is 1.4x
applied
force
2
included but
does not
transfer to
mechanical
2
4
4 unique steps 8 unique
steps
6
3 simple
machines
6
Load is 1.6x
Applied
force
8
4 simple
machines
8
Load is 2x
applied force
4
included
appropriately
6
12 unique
steps
8
16 unique
steps
4
8
Ends with
dog food in
the dish
8
4
Dog food
misses dish
2
either 31-45
seconds too
short or too
long
4
either 16-30
seconds too
short or too
long
6
either 1-15
seconds too
short or too
long
8
between 60 s
and 120 s
2
Completes
with 3 helps
4
Completes
with 2 helps
6
Completes
with 1 help
8
Completes
no helps
8
16
2
Completes
with 3 helps
4
Completes
with 2 helps
6
Completes
with 1 help
4
8
Completes
no helps
/100