Action Reaction Machine Guidelines
For Gardenview Science Fair & LHA Rube Goldberg Competition
What is the Rube Goldberg Machine?
A good Rube Goldberg machine incorporates the everyday machines people are used to seeing and connects
them in ways that may seem silly or ingenious. Quite simply you are to build a Rube Goldberg machine that, in
its final step, pops a balloon. It will be your mission to construct a machine that uses 8-10 individual steps to
complete the task.
Build a Rube Goldberg Machine
The materials you use are the most important components of the machine. See what you have around the
house, look through your old toy chest, pick through the junk pile in the tool shed or garage, but most
importantly, USE THEM. Mr. Goldberg knew no bounds when he created his machines, and you should take
the same attitude. Your imagination is your only limit.
You may use almost any object that you can find. You are limited to “safe” things. Neither firecrackers, nor
flammable items are permitted. Here are a few ideas:
*Cardboard *Wood Toys Magnets
*Sand
*Toothpicks
*Marbles
*hook/eye bolts *Toys and more!
*Straws *Paper Clips *String * Coins *Balloons *Rubber Bands
*Nuts and Bolts *Plastic Containers *Slingshot
*Plastic Tubing
Rules for the Contest
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The final product includes the following:
o Rube Goldberg machine
o Poster display of steps
o Report
Seventy-five percent of the material you use should be recycled (wood scraps, string, 2 liter bottles,
wire, cardboard, etc.) In other words, the use of items in your machine must be different from their
original functions. Be creative and resourceful. You do not need to spend any money to create a great
machine.
A Rube Goldberg Machine is designed such that a single action STARTS the machine, such as
pressing a button, letting go of a marble, cutting a string, removing a barrier, etc. No other additional
human actions are required once your machine has started.
A machine must include 8-10 steps
A minimum of 3 simple machines must be present. Choose from a wheel and axle, a pulley, an
inclined plane, a wedge, a lever, and a screw. Please note using a screw to hold something together
does not count as using a simple machine. Rather, the simple machine must be used as a part of a
step.
Each team must DISPLAY a detailed description of its machine on poster board. The description must
include the names of the team members and a step-by-step description of the machine from first step to
last step with all steps numbered (See below: How to Count Steps.)
The machines should be no larger than 2.5’ by 3’. You should be able to reach the top of your machine
while standing on the ground.
All machines will be displayed on tables provided.
A machine may not incorporate any live animals.
Each machine must be safe. Any questionable items must be given prior consent by the teacher.
Your project must have a minimum running time of 30 seconds, and a maximum run time of 5 minutes.
The machine must complete a full cycle in no more than 5 minutes. A full cycle includes a first run to
completion of the task. During the contest, each team may claim one free restart of a run without
penalty.
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On each run of the machine, points will be deducted for any human intervention according to the
following schedule:
a. 2 points will be deducted for the 1st intervention.
b. An additional 4 points will be deducted for a 2nd intervention.
c. An additional 8 points will be deducted for a 3rd intervention
d. No more that 15 points will be deducted for interventions on a single run.
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If a human intervention on a machine in motion skips any steps, 1 point will be deducted for each step
skipped.
Any loose or flying objects must remain within the set boundaries of the machine. Any objects that end
up outside the size restriction will cause points to be deducted (balloon fragments are the exception).
Any electricity used must be battery power. No household current is to be used.
No combustible fluids, explosives, open flames, or hazardous materials are allowed.
Once a team official run is completed, the team is encouraged to make demonstration runs for the
audience. Please bring extra balloons (20).
Points will be deducted if there isn’t diversity in your building materials (for example, your entire
machine should not be built from Legos)
Following the science fair, each team is responsible for removing its machine and related debris.
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How to Count Steps
One step is defined as one action/reaction or an energy transfer. Each step may incorporate things like
pulleys, levers, ramps, electrical switches, battery, dominoes, catapults, etc.
Each step/energy transfer must be clearly displayed during the science fair with a number to help the audience
and judges see and understand your steps. Hence, this is a very important component to your project.
Example:
Step 1. A ball crashing into a set of dominoes transfers its momentum to the dominoes.
Step 2. The falling dominoes trigger a mouse trap
Step 3. The mouse trap launches a block of wood into a cup
Step 4. The extra weight in the cup presses down on an electrical switch completing a circuit.
Step 5. The completed circuit turns on a fan which pushes a sail boat in a trough.
The web site below shows some great photographs of Rube Goldberg Machines. The steps are numbered in
the photographs and the explanations are fairly clear: http://mousetrapcontraptions.com/cool-machines-3.html
For displaying your steps…
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It should have a title.
You should create three (3) columns labeled: Number of Step, Action, and Reaction
Format should be a chart
Each step needs to include an action and a reaction. This means that each step in the Rube
Goldberg has 2 parts.
Your name(s) must be written in the bottom right-hand corner.
EXAMPLE:
Number of Step
Action
Reaction
1
A ball crashes into dominoes
Dominoes tumble
2
Dominoes tumble
Mouse trap snaps
3
Mouse trap snaps
Wood block is launched into cup
4
Wood fall into cup
Switch is pressed
Building a Successful Rube Goldberg Machine
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The machine works. When it starts, it runs all the way through to completion with no human intervention
and completes the required task. A Rube Goldberg Machine is designed such that a single action
starts the machine running (pressing a button, letting go of a marble, cutting a string, removing a
barrier, etc.), and no other human actions are required.
It has clearly visible steps. On many machines, it is hard to follow all the
steps. Teachers/judges appreciate machines that are laid out so that as many of the steps as possible
are clearly visible in linear sequence. (A hits B, B triggers
C, C cuts D, etc.)
Final Notes
1. The final product includes the following:
a. Rube Goldberg machine
b. Poster display of steps
c. Report
2. Make sure your machine meets all of the requirements.
3. Remember the machine should be started by a single push or pull. Any other human intervention or
touches will result in a loss of points (with the exception of one free restart).
4. The machine should be reliable. It should run over and over again when reset.
5. Remember: A row of 6 dominoes, one falling into another, does not make 6 steps or energy transfers.
An energy transfer is defined as one medium to a different medium.... A ball rolling into block of wood
would be a good example ... not ball to ball or domino to domino.
6. Combustion of any kind may not be used in your machine.
7. Important! Participants will have a choice to decide if they want to run their machines a 2nd time for
the judges. If your machine does well on its first run you may not want to run your machine again. If you
run your machine a 2nd time, your score is based on the 2nd run only.
8. Have fun!
Report Requirements
Your report must include the components listed below. Please use a duo-tang or report cover. No stapled
reports, please.
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Title Page (with name(s) and homeroom)
Table of Contents
Question #1
Question #2
Question #3
Bibliography: It is important that you use reliable sources. You must use websites that
end in .gov .edu .org . Wikipedia is not permitted. A minimum of 4 resources is required.
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All pages should be numbered.
Must be typed and double-spaced
Information should be entered into the report using complete sentences, correct punctuation,
spelling, etc.
Use duo-tang or report cover
Question #1: Who is Rube Goldberg?
Make sure your reply answers the following:
 When did Rube Goldberg live?
 What was his profession?
 What was he famous for making?
 What did he go to school for?
Question #2: Describe one of Rube Goldberg’s inventions.
Make sure your description answers the following:
 What was his invention made to do?
 What did he make it out of?
 How many steps did it need to complete its task?
Question #3: Describe the method your machine uses to complete its task.
Make sure your description answers the following:
 What materials did you use?
 What simple machines did you use to complete the final task?
 What supplies did you used to use to make this device?
 How many steps did it require? List them following the guidelines listed above.
 How long does it take to complete the task?
 Include a photo (or photos) of your Rube Goldberg machine
"Rube Goldberg" is a licensed trademark of Rube Goldberg Inc.
Resources
http://www.rjfisher.lgusd.k12.ca.us/Staff/jconrad/documents/Rube_Goldberg_Packet-09.pdf
http://engineering-expo.com/?page_id=95
http://www.hollywoodcharter.org/schoolinfo/MSScienceFairPacketRubeGoldberg.pdf
http://www.schs.ca/science/rube.html
http://sms-lafsd-ca.schoolloop.com/file/1270299472605/1269552622196/4908024533073426583.pdf
www.rubegoldberg.com