Rube Goldberg Machines

Curriculum Framework:
Physical Science Integrated Topic 4: Energy
PSI-PS3-3
Design, build, and refine a device that works within given constraints to convert one form of
energy into another form of energy.

Learning Objective:
The students will be able to relate Rube Goldberg machines to the concept of energy
conversion.
Learning Activities:
The students will begin by watching a video of a Rube Goldberg machine. While watching, the
students will fill out a provided graphic organizer encouraging deeper thought about the video
and how it relates to energy. Once that is completed, the class will complete a Rube Goldberg
machine together using materials found in the classroom.
Assessment:
The students will complete a graphic organizer. The graphic organizer asks for the student to
explain a Rube Goldberg machine in their own words. Then it encourages deeper thought by
asking the students to describe what is happening in terms of energy. It then asks them what
they consider to be important when building one. The last two boxes ask the student to draw
something they saw in the video as well as their own original ideas for a part of one. This will
allow the following activity of actually building a Rube Goldberg machine as a class to proceed
faster and more efficiently as the student will already have some ideas.