Project 5.3.7c Rube Goldberg Device
Introduction
Rube Goldberg was a famous Pulitzer Prize winning cartoonist, sculptor, and author.
He was famous for his depiction of extremely complicated inventions performing
simple tasks, using intricate mechanical devices and outlandish components. His
cartoons were examples of “man’s capacity for exerting the maximum labor to
achieve minimum results and provided a humorous diversion into the wonders of
technology.”
Your team will be designing and building a Rube Goldberg mechanical device. This
device will be a subsystem within the larger system. It will demonstrate the principles
of the six simple machines in a fun and inventive way. The transfer of energy in your
device will travel a specific path from start to finish for a minimum of 3 seconds. The
device must be self-powered utilizing potential energy. There is to be no human
intervention after the device is started. Counterweights can be used but must be a
part of the original design. No batteries or electrical power can be used. The device
must be capable of repeated demonstrations without long set-up times in between.
Remember, Rube would never do anything in a straightforward, easy way.
Equipment
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GTT notebook
Pencil
Sketch paper
Lab power tools (scroll saws, drill presses, belt/disc sander, hot glue guns,
hand-held drills, etc.)
Hand tools (coping saws, pliers, files, hole punch, etc.)
Materials provided by your teacher
Stopwatch
12 in. x 12 in. x ¾ in. wood footprint
Procedure
Meet with your team and select a person to be responsible for the following areas.
Each team member is responsible for their own engineering notebook and the
documentation that is to be placed in it.
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Materials Manager - Responsible for the acquisition, organization, and
storage of all materials and equipment used on the project.
Documentation Manager - Responsible for the final design, material cost, and
materials list submitted to the teacher prior to construction.
© 2011 Project Lead The Way, Inc.
GTT-ST Project 5.3.7c Rube Goldberg Device – Page 1
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Communications Manager - Responsible for the communication between your
team, the teacher, and the teams directly before and after yours.
1. Begin brainstorming possible solutions for your grid block. In your engineering
notebook, each team member must restate the problem in their own words and
sketch two possible solutions. Label the simple machines being used. Don’t
forget to consider the requirements and limitations listed below.
2. With your team, reach a consensus on the best solution from the available
sketched options. Don’t forget to collaborate with the teams before and after
yours. List the construction methods that will be used to build your team’s device
and the materials needed. Remember, you may bring in supplies from home with
prior teacher approval.
3. After your teacher has given the instruction on tool usage and materials, you may
begin to build your team’s device.
4. Troubleshoot the device after it is completed. Evaluate your device using the
grading rubric. Changes and adjustments must be made before the final run.
5. Place your grid in its place and conduct the final run.
If your teacher chooses to have you work within a budget, keep that in mind
when creating your final design.
Requirements and Limitations:
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Your team must meet the criteria stated in the Rube Goldberg Grading
Rubric. Be sure to carefully review this rubric prior to starting this activity.
Energy should take at least 3 seconds to travel through your machine. (The
longer the model operates the better.). Hint: Make gravity your friend.
Model height is unlimited, but model must stay within the 12 in. x 12 in.
footprint for length and width.
All subsystems should pass the energy at 3 in. above the board and centered
or 6 in. from the side. Therefore, all subsystems will also receive the energy
at 3 in. above the board (not the floor) and 6 in. from the side.
You may use available materials found in the lab. You may also bring
materials from home.
Remember: Use your creativity, problem-solving ability, and the skills you
have learned in class to make the best design possible.
© 2011 Project Lead The Way, Inc.
GTT-ST Project 5.3.7c Rube Goldberg Device – Page 2
Costs of Goods and Equipment Chart
Tools
Amt
($)
Hammer
Pliers
$1
$1
Snips
Wire cutters
Hand saws
$1
$1
$5 or
$1 per
cut
$10 or
$2 per
cut
$1
Power saws
Files
Paper cutter
Scissors
Glue gun
Staples
Xacto knife
Drill press
Sander
Scroll saw
Band saw
$5 or
$1 per
cut
$1
Free
$1
$1
$5 or
$1 per
hole
$5
$5
$10
Materials
Amt
($)
$1 / 6 in.
$1 ea.
Consult fee
Straws
Amt
($)
$1 / min
$1 / 3
$1
$1 / ft
$5 / ft
Pulley
Wood glue
Marbles
$20 ea
Free
$2 ea
Paper
$1 / sheet
Rubber band
$1
Lg. cardboard
Spoon
$2 ea
¼ x ¼ wood
$25 /
sheet
$1
½ x ½ wood
½ x 2 wood
¼ x ½ wood
Nails
Dixie cup
$3
$10
$2
$1 for 2
$2
Mouse trap
Vehicle
Markers
$20
$20
$1 per
color
Free
All tape
Popsicle
sticks
Clear plastic
Wire
Tubing
Rulers
Misc.
Conclusion
1. What were the most important criteria your team used to select the final design of
your device and why did you use them?
2. What changes would you make if you could redesign your Rube Goldberg
device?
© 2011 Project Lead The Way, Inc.
GTT-ST Project 5.3.7c Rube Goldberg Device – Page 3