Rube Goldberg at White Oak

A Rube Goldberg machine is a contraption, invention, device or apparatus that is deliberately over-engineered to perform a simple task in a complicated fashion, generally including a chain reaction. The expression is named after American cartoonist and inventor Rube Goldberg (1883–1970).

Second graders have been demonstrating changes in speed and direction using pushes and pulls. As a team they identified a classroom task that a machine could help accomplish. Then they designed a Rube Goldberg machine to help complete that task. Using materials easily found in the classroom, they tested the machine and made any necessary improvements.

ASK: What is the problem you are trying to solve?

IMAGINE: Brainstorm some ideas.

PLAN: Draw a diagram and make a list of the materials you will need.

CREATE: Follow your plan and create something.

TEST: Then test it out!! How did it go?

IMPROVE: What works?

RETEST: What changes did you make?

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