Suggested Lessons

The following lessons are suggested for a "complete" unit on Rube Goldberg Machines, but some lessons may be skipped depending on factors such as the alloted time, the resources available, and the capability of the students.

• • Introduction to Simple Machine Types

    • The RGM will employ many simple machine types (lever, wheel & axle, inclined plane, wedge, screw, and pulley)

    • References:

    • http://www.slideshare.net/ssandblom/types-of-simple-machines

    • http://physics.about.com/od/physicsintherealworld/p/simplemachines.htm

  • Introduction to Technological Concepts

    • The fundamental technological concepts are referred to in the Technological Education curriculum front matter, and should be considered for all technological projects.

    • Reference:

    • Fundamental Technological Concepts

  • Investigate Group Roles

    • What will each group member's responsibilities be?

  • Investigate Rube Goldberg Machines

    • There are many excellent websites and YouTube videos available. A favourite is this commercial from Honda.

  • Co-create RGM Evaluation Criteria

    • Students "buy in" to the project and are more successful if they co-create the evaluation criteria with the instructor.

  • Create Storyboard (of RGM steps)

    • The students need to plan the stages of their RGM before they begin construction.

  • Technical Drawing (of RGM steps)

    • This is an optional unit that will depend on the alloted time, the resources available, and the capability of the students.

  • Building, Testing, and Revising

    • This, together with the storyboarding and the technical drawing, can often be an iterative process!

  • Demonstration & Evaluation

    • Use the evaluation criteria created above to evaluate the RGM during the demonstrations.