Rube Goldberg Machine Challenge
Rube Goldberg was an American Pulitzer Prize winning cartoonist, sculptor, author, engineer, and inventor, and his work is a classic example of the melding of art and science. Goldberg began his career as an engineer, and later became a cartoonist who drew elaborate illustrations of contraptions made up of pulleys, cups, birds, balloons, and watering cans that were designed to solve a simple task such as opening a window or setting an alarm clock. Interestingly, Goldberg only drew the pictures, and never built any of his inventions. However, these pictures have since served as inspiration for makers and builders who want the challenge of making wild inventions to solve everyday problems.
The Challenge
Send Can you build a Rube Goldberg Machine?
Step 1- Be Inspired, watch some videos below!
Step 2 -Solve a Problem
Next, come up with a simple problem that you’re trying to solve. For example:
- Ring a Bell
- Pop a Balloon
- Open a Door
- Shut a window
Step 3 - Gather Supplies
Things that Roll
- Marbles
- Balls: Tennis, Baseball, Bowling, etc.
- Toy Cars
- Dominoes
- Skateboard
- Roller Skate
- Mousetrap
- Mousetrap
- Dominoes
- Toaster
- Fan
- Toy Train Tracks
- Marble Runs
- Books
- Trays
- PVC pipe
- Plastic tubing
- Gutters
- Cardboard
- Cereal Boxes
- Cardboard Rolls
- Plastic Water Bottles
- Cans
- Aluminum Foil
- Chopsticks
- Popsicle Sticks
- Ruler
- Wooden Blocks
- Bowl
- String
- Tape
- Sand
- Pins
- Hammer
- Balloons
- Water
- Fan
Step 4 - Build your machine
Have fun building your machine and send a photo or video to Ms Monkley.
kate.monkley@mn.catholic.edu.au
