rube goldberg engineering...rube g oldberg engineering challenge outline: 1. introduce rube goldberg...

Rube GoldbergEn gin eerin g

Ch allen ge

Rube Goldberg En gin eerin g Ch allen ge Outlin e:1. Introduce Rube Goldberg

2. Learn about simple machines

3. Explore the possibility of putting these simple machines together as one complex machine

4. Competitors should brainstorm a Rube Goldberg machine & create a blueprint

5. Competitors build, test, adjust and retest their Rube Goldberg machines

6. Film it! Post it to you favorite social media account with the hashtag #stemchallenge2020

7. Submit a form on https://stem.nmsu.edu/rube -Goldberg-challengeto enter the contest

1.Wh o was Rube

Goldberg?And how does he relate to

STEM?

○ Cartoonist, best known for his zany invention cartoons

○ Received an engineering degree from UC Berkley

○ Only person to be listed in Merrial Webster Dictionary as an adjective

○ Created over 50,000 cartoons

Engineering Design Process

2.Sim ple Mach in es

Simple Mach in es

○ Watch the Bill Nye video about simple machines:

○ https://www.schooltube.com/video/b92aaeff6cf4431aa6c7/Bill%20Nye%20 -%20Simple%20Machines

Competitors try to create each of the following:○ Lever - changes the size and direct ion of forces. The function of a

lever is to release or set an item’s posit ion. The middle pivot point is call the fulcrum.

○ Wheel & Axle – reduces frict ion and force needed to move an object . The function of a wheel and axle is to create movement using a circular movement.

Simple Mach in es Con tin ued

○ Inclined Plane (Ramp)- spreads out the work/force over a long distance. An inclined plane’s function is to serve as an angled transition between two uneven points.

○ Screw - a ramp wrapped around a wedge. A screw’s function is to hold two items together in a fixed position.

○ Pulley - changes the direction of the force . A pulley’s function is to move an item from one place to another.

○ Wedge – used to separate or connect two items. A good example is an axe used to cut wood. The wedge is the blade attached to the handle that is used to drive the log into two separate pieces.

3.Put th e Sim ple

Mach in es Togeth er

Watch videos and discuss with the group to begin

brainstorming.

Wheel

Pulley

Ramp

ScrewLever Wedge

4.Select a Task

& Create a Blueprin t

Ask your family to help you solve a task and draw a

bluprint!

Select a Task for your Mach in e ○Turn a light off

○Crush a soda can

○Drop a bottle in a recycling bin

○Water a plant

○ Plant seeds in a pot of soil

○ Pop a balloon

○ Fill a glass with water

○Shut a door

○Squeeze toothpaste onto a toothbrush

○Turn off an alarm clock

○Put food in the pet bowl

○Bring an item to you, like a pair of shoes

○The list goes on and on!

Possible ideas to get the competitors thinking:

Create a Blueprin t

○ Engineers plan their designs before building!

○Brainstorm! Draw several designs and select the best one!

○Approve your plan with an adult prior to beginning to build!

○Collect your materials prior to building to make sure you have everything you want!

○Get creative!

Use paper and pencil to draw a plan:

5.Build , Tes t, Adjus t an d

Retes t!

Engineering Design ProcessSelect a task

Brain s tormIden tify problem areas

& m ake im provem en ts

Begin Buildin g & Tes tin g

Blueprin t

Materials○Collect all of the materials you will use. Use the “Simple Supplies” list to check off the items you are using to create your simple machines. Remember, you earn 1 point for each unique item you use from the list!

○Look all over the house for various unique items to add to your project.

○Adult supervision is required for using items that you know you cannot use alone! Be sure an adult is helping you!

A Rube Goldberg machine is, in its es sen ce, a tria l-an d-error th in g.

- Adam Sadowsky

Have fun!Need help? Reach out to us with

questions at nmsu.stemoutreach@gmail.com