Energy Transfer: Designing a Rube Goldberg Machine

Students will gather information about Rube Goldberg and the machine that he created by reading the book Just Like Rube Goldberg.
Then students will apply their knowledge of the different types of energy transfers within a system by designing and engineering a model drawing of their own Rube Goldberg machine. Goal of the machine is to get a marble into a cup. Their machines must have 10 parts and at least 4 identifiable energy transfers.

Materials:
Book - Just Like Rube Goldberg
Video World’s Largest Rube Goldberg Machine
See/Think/Wonder Chart
Plain or construction paper
Markers/colored pencils
Engineering Design Process
Grading Rubric

Agenda:
Students will watch the video - World's largest Rube Goldberg machine on YouTube and complete a See, Think, and Wonder chart. 20 -30 min.
Class discussion and analysis of See, Think, Wonder. 15 min.
Students will read the book Like Rube Goldberg - 25 Min.
Students will do a rough sketch design of their own Rube Goldberg machines with a goal of getting a marble into a box and labeling all energy transfers within the system.
Once rough drafts are approved students can proceed to design their final products. 120-180 min.
Students will communicate their designs to their teacher/groups and explain the energy transfers within their design.