Rube Goldberg Project Teacher Pages

Objective:

Students will be able to list different forms of energy, describe ways in which energy is transformed from one form to another and transferred from one place to another.

Differentiate:

Identify/describe the following	C	B	A
Transform	1	1	2
Transfer	4	5	6

Can use as many as desired, but must explain the amount in the table above.

Energy:

Thermal, light, chemical, electrical, kinetic, sound, potential

Students will plan and create a "Rube Goldberg" project using 3 or more energy transfers and at least one energy transformation.

Students will need background information about the variety of energy types, and the difference between energy transfer and transformation.

Given specific parameters (to be determined), students will work in teams of 2-3 students (?) to plan (draw) a series of events that are interconnected demonstrating energy transfers and transformations, including a write up describing the energy transfers and the transformations that are taking place at each step along the way.  Students will need to also describe any chemical or physical changes that happen to any objects along the series of events.  (Must be able to set up, test a few times, and clean up within a class period)

Parameters:

self-sustaining; max 20 dominoes; not involving people or animals; use two or more simple machines

Ending options to choose from: shut or open door/drawer; turn on/off light; open/shut book; turn on water faucet; drop an object into a container; draw a line or picture or write a message; pop a balloon; zip or unzip a zipper (not on a person); turn on or off radio/music; water a plant        **Others options considered with teacher approval.

Preteaching:

1. Students need to know the differences between an energy transfer and an energy transformation
2. Understand (at least be able to define) the different forms of energy;
3. Show "OK Go" link on YouTube and other video clips that demonstrate similar concept
4. Foldable for energy types  After the basic knowledge teaching and 1 -2 days of research, students will draw out a design for their project. This design must be approved by a teacher before being put into physical practice.

Rube Goldberg Project Grading Rubric

Group Members: ______________________________________________

Project Objective: ______________________________________________

	4 – Exceeds Standards	3 – Meets Standards	2 – Emergent	1 – Well Below Standards	0 - Missing	Score
Energy Transformations Explanations	Clearly identified and described 2 or more energy transformation	Clearly identified and described 1 energy transformation	Clearly identified 1 energy transformation (but not described)	Energy transformation is not clearly identified	No attempt was made to identify
Energy Transfers Explanations	Clearly identified and described 5 or more energy transfers	Clearly identified and described 4 energy transfer	Clearly identified 2-3 energy transfers	Identified 1 energy transfer	No attempt was made to identify
Diagram	Diagram was complete and clearly labeled	Diagram was complete, but no more than 1 step was unlabeled	Diagram was complete, but 2-3 labels were missing	Diagram is incomplete or missing 4 or more labels	Diagram was missing.
Goal Accomplishment	Built machine clearly demonstrates all of the energy transfers and transformations; accomplishes objective goal.	Machine was built and met the end goal	Built machine, but did not quite achieve the end goal	Attempt was made to build machine, but it did not function. :(	Did not build a machine.
Overall	Shows extra pride and creativity	Shows pride in work	Needs work in neatness or pride	Hard to read, diagrams are sloppy	Have you ever heard of neatness??
Title	Has a descriptive title that relates to the project	Has a title		Can't understand the title	No title
Total score