Unleash Creativity with the Rube Goldberg with this Simple Machine Challenge:

The Challenge

The main goal of this activity is for students to gain experience in collaborating with other students on a simple machine – Rube Goldberg design project. Students will also learn about force, motion, energy transformation, how machines help people, structure and function of simple machines, and complex machines.

The following Middle School NGSS are included.

MS-PS2 Motion and Stability: Forces and Interactions

• MS-PS2-1: Apply Newton's Third Law to design a solution to a problem involving the motion of two colliding objects.
• MS-PS2-2: Plan an investigation to provide evidence that the change in an object’s motion depends on the sum of the forces on the object and the mass of the object.

MS-PS3 Energy

• MS-PS3-2: Develop a model to describe that when the arrangement of objects interacting at a distance changes, different amounts of potential energy are stored in the system.
• MS-PS3-5: Construct, use, and present arguments to support the claim that when the kinetic energy of an object changes, energy is transferred to or from the object.

MS-ETS1 Engineering Design

• MS-ETS1-2: Evaluate competing design solutions using a systematic process to determine how well they meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.
• MS-ETS1-3: Analyze data from tests to determine similarities and differences among several design solutions to identify the best characteristics of each that can be combined into a new solution to better meet the criteria for success.

The following Middle School NGSS are included.

HS-PS2 Motion and Stability: Forces and Interactions

• HS-PS2-1: Analyze data to support the claim that Newton’s second law of motion describes the mathematical relationship among the net force on a macroscopic object, its mass, and its acceleration.
• HS-PS2-3: Apply scientific and engineering ideas to design, evaluate, and refine a device that minimizes the force on a macroscopic object during a collision.

HS-PS3 Energy

• HS-PS3-1: Create a computational model to calculate the change in the energy of one component in a system when the change in energy of the other component(s) and energy flows in and out of the system are known.
• HS-PS3-2: Develop and use models to illustrate that energy at the macroscopic scale can be accounted for as either motions of particles or energy stored in fields.
• HS-PS3-3: Design, build, and refine a device that works within given constraints to convert one form of energy into another form of energy.

HS-ETS1 Engineering Design

• HS-ETS1-2: Design a solution to a complex real-world problem by breaking it down into smaller, more manageable problems that can be solved through engineering.

This resource includes:

• Detailed Challenge Guide: A step-by-step process to introduce the challenge objectives, guide the design process, and facilitate your students' engineering explorations.
• Construction Strategy: Instructions to aid students in planning and constructing their tower, promoting a thorough understanding of the engineering concepts at play.
• Reflective Questions: Thought-provoking questions designed to stimulate reflection after the challenge, deepening students' grasp of the underlying scientific principles.
• Extension Research Questions: Additional questions that promote further inquiry that push students to investigate modern engineering feats and historical architectural techniques.
• The Science Behind the Challenge: An explanation of the science behind the challenge so that your students can better comprehend what is happening and why.

If you're looking for more STEM Challenges to use in your High School classroom, I also have these in My Store:

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• Pasta Bridge Challenge
• Simple Telescope Challenge
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• Paddle Boat Challenge

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• Water Filtration System Challenge
• Balloon-Power Rocket Challenge
• Pasta Tower Challenge
• Aluminum Foil Boat Challenge
• Marshmallow Catapult Challenge
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• Egg Drop Challenge
• Paper Bridge Challenge
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Why Choose My Challenge?

• User-Friendly: This activity is easy to set up with basic classroom materials, making it highly accessible for teachers and students alike.
• Versatile: The challenge can be tailored to different skill levels and learning styles, ensuring that every student is engaged and challenged.
• STEM Culture Promotion: Incorporating this project fosters a classroom ethos that values curiosity, creativity, and the joy of engineering discovery.