Simple Machines and Rube Goldberg Machines

Introduction

Why do things the easy way?  It’s so much more fun to make a simple task really complicated!  That’s how Rueben Golberg did it.  But who is Ruben Goldberg and why did he like to do things the hard way?  Let’s take a journey to find out who Rueben Goldberg was and how the machines he illustrated worked.  We can then decide if we like doing things the hard way too!

 

Task

The STEAMposium is coming up next month.  We have been tasked with creating a display of exciting activities for families to check out.  With your partner, you will review simple machines and think about how they can be used in a Rube Goldberg machine. You will also find out who Rueben Goldberg was, and how his machines worked. Then you and your partner will brainstorm, illustrate, design, and build your very own machine for the STEAMposium. Let’s get started!

Process

FIRST, We’ll need to start with a review of simple machines.  Watch the video below and read the attached article.  Then answer the questions and do the scavenger hunt.

Simple Machines Video

Article/questions/scavenger hunt

 

SECOND,  Let’s learn about who Rube Goldberg was. Read this article then answer the attached questions

Rube Goldberg - article and questions

Here are a few more resources to help you learn more about Rueben Goldberg.

Biography of Rueben Goldberg

Video Biography

 

THIRD, Now let’s see what we can learn about Rube Goldberg machines.

Here's an illustration of a Rube Goldberg-style machine! It shows a fun and complex way of performing a simple task.  Let’s learn more!

Check out these resources to see how to build your machine.

Background on Rube and What is a Rub Goldberg Machine

Tinkerlab, How to

SciShow - How to Build a Rub Goldberg

 

Now let’s look at some machines in action.

Simple Steps to Create a Rube Goldberg Machine | Kids Teaching Kids - YouTube

How to Make a Rube Goldberg Machine! - YouTube

Largest Rube Goldberg Machine - Guinness World Records - YouTube

Giant Kids' RUBE GOLDBERG Machine! | Kids Invent Stuff - YouTube

 

FINALLY, Get together with your partner to start planning your Rube Goldberg machine.  See me for your planning document.

Guidelines:

  1. Brainstorm what task you want your machine to perform, such as pushing a ball into a cup or popping a balloon.

  2. Decide on which 3 simple machines will you use in your design. 

  3. List the materials you would like to use.  Do we have them? Can we get them?

  4. You’ll need a base on which to build so we can store the machine. What should you use?

  5. Create a labeled sketch or “blueprint” for your design.

  6. Start to build your device.  This can take many trials. Go backward with the task if you run into a roadblock. 

  7. Once your machine is built, you will complete a step-by-step description explaining what happens at each stage of the chain reaction. 

  8. A final drawing will be completed that is neat and clear and looks exactly like your device.

  9. You will present your project to the class and it should only involve one push to get the device working.

Evaluation

Rubric



 

 

               1

(not meeting the standard)

                     2

(working toward the standard)

                3

(meeting the standard)

                 4

(exceeding the standard)

Collaboration

The student minimally participated in the WebQuest, designing and building.

The student participated in WebQuest, designing and building, but did not meet all expectations (for example: didn’t bring in materials they said they would)

The student met all obligations and participated in WebQuest, designing and building.

The student met all obligations and participated in WebQuest, designing and building. Student also helped classmates.

Simple Machines

Student includes and/or can explain 1 simple machine in the design

Student includes and can explain 2 simple machines in the design

Student includes and can explain 3 simple machines in the design

Student includes and can explain more than 3 simple machines in the design

Rube Golberg Design/Machine

The final sketch matches the machine and may or may not be labeled. The machine completes the task with 1 chain reaction.

The final sketch matches the machine and may or may not be labeled. The machine completes the task with 2 chain reactions.

The final sketch matches the machine and is labeled. The machine completes the task with 3 chain reactions.

The final sketch matches the machine and is labeled. The machine completes the task with more than 3 chain reactions.





 

 

Conclusion

You did it!  The machines are ready for the STEAMposium. You have completed a design and built a Rube Goldberg Machine. You reviewed simple machines to include in your design and collaborated with your partner every step of the way. 

I would like you to reflect on your learning and write a paragraph about your experience.  Include what you liked best as well as your least favorite part.  What parts of the project were easy for you and what did you find challenging? Do you feel like you were able to successfully collaborate with your partner?  Would you consider building another Rube Goldberg machine on your own?

 

Check out these books from the school library if you are interested in more information.

Build Your Own Chain Reaction Machines: How to Make Crazy Contraptions Using Everyday Stuff--Creative Kid-Powered Projects!

Rube Goldberg's Simple Normal Humdrum School Day: A Picture Book

Rube Goldberg and His Amazing Machines

Get to Know Screws

Get to Know Wedges

Get to Know Wheels and Axles

Get to Know Levers

Get to Know Pulleys

 

Credits

Resources

Danial Anwaar-Maximo. (2015, November 20). Rube Goldberg 6 Simple machines [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QYxYp-D2J4

Guinness World Records. (2021, December 10). Largest Rube Goldberg machine - Guinness World Records [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpLDfkLBJ0Q

Harmony Square - Educational Videos & Activities. (2019, October 2). What are Simple Machines | Learn about six simple machines | Harmony Square Science Lesson [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wl1-frlRSfc

Kids Invent Stuff. (2018, November 24). Giant Kids’ RUBE GOLDBERG Machine! | Kids invent stuff [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3vXwWfEfGM

Colbylll. (2020, April 6). How to make a Rube Goldberg machine! [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLk6_RHvW5M

Rachelle. (2024, January 5). Engineering Kids | Rube Goldberg Machine. TinkerLab. https://tinkerlab.com/engineering-kids-rube-goldberg-machine/

Rube Goldberg. (n.d.). Vimeo. https://vimeo.com/21590227

SciShow Kids. (2018b, December 19). The coolest machine ever! [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mGn6mrlrfw

THNKR. (2020, November 6). Simple steps to create a Rube Goldberg machine | Kids Teaching kids [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxMNvyylRSY

What is a Rube Goldberg Machine? (2020, February 24). Wonderopolis. https://www.wonderopolis.org/wonder/what-is-a-rube-goldberg-machine

simple machines Open AI 2025

Rube Goldberg - article and questions Open AI 2025

Teacher Page

This lesson was designed for a 4th grade WIN (enrichment) class.

Goals for Webquest:

  1. Students will identify the 6 simple machines and identify examples of each.

  2. Students will learn who  Rueben Goldberg was and the purpose of a Rube Goldberg machine.

  3. Students will design, illustrate and ultimately build a  Rube Goldberg machine.

  4. Students will work with a partner to work on their communication and collaboration skills.