Rube Goldberg Project:
Summary
For this project, we were tasked with building a complex contraption that performs a simple task. Also, we had to show what physics concepts we used, and we had to provide the calculations for each transfer of energy/motion. The requirements/components of this project included: the Rube (with a minimum of 12 steps), a typed guide explaining the steps, an analysis guide with at 6 calculations done.
The goal of our Rube was to feed a dog. We created a base that resembles a dog house, and we even ordered fake grass for the bottom of the Rube. Our finished Rube has 14 steps. We included levers and a few pulleys into our project. We were limited on materials and the access we had to them, so we had to compromise and be flexible. We ended up having to use bouncy balls for a majority of the steps. I think in the end, that using the bouncy balls worked out because they are not as heavy as large marbles and we were also able to use hot glue to create a surface that the ball could grip to that held it in place. Overall, I think this project was successful, my group worked really well together, and our Rube had a high success rate.
For this project, we were tasked with building a complex contraption that performs a simple task. Also, we had to show what physics concepts we used, and we had to provide the calculations for each transfer of energy/motion. The requirements/components of this project included: the Rube (with a minimum of 12 steps), a typed guide explaining the steps, an analysis guide with at 6 calculations done.
The goal of our Rube was to feed a dog. We created a base that resembles a dog house, and we even ordered fake grass for the bottom of the Rube. Our finished Rube has 14 steps. We included levers and a few pulleys into our project. We were limited on materials and the access we had to them, so we had to compromise and be flexible. We ended up having to use bouncy balls for a majority of the steps. I think in the end, that using the bouncy balls worked out because they are not as heavy as large marbles and we were also able to use hot glue to create a surface that the ball could grip to that held it in place. Overall, I think this project was successful, my group worked really well together, and our Rube had a high success rate.
Reflection Questions
What was the hardest part of doing this project, how did you persevere?
The hardest part of this project was finding materials. We had a hard time finding the right materials we needed. What we had to do was bring some materials from home and we also had to be flexible with what we wanted to do/use.
What steps were most challenging to make work?
The steps that were most challenging to make work were the pulleys. The pulleys were challenging to make work because we had to make sure everything lined up so that the ball would land in the pulley every time.
What hands on skills did you learn through working in your group?
Throughout this project I learned how to use a photogate. I also was able to improve and learn new problem solving skills.
What was the hardest part of doing this project, how did you persevere?
The hardest part of this project was finding materials. We had a hard time finding the right materials we needed. What we had to do was bring some materials from home and we also had to be flexible with what we wanted to do/use.
What steps were most challenging to make work?
The steps that were most challenging to make work were the pulleys. The pulleys were challenging to make work because we had to make sure everything lined up so that the ball would land in the pulley every time.
What hands on skills did you learn through working in your group?
Throughout this project I learned how to use a photogate. I also was able to improve and learn new problem solving skills.
Video Before Exhibition
Video At Exhibition
Exhibition
Process
We went through a lot of steps because we wanted to make sure our Rube was going to work before we started constructing. We did a lot of brainstorms and planning. First, we had to come up with ideas on what we wanted our Rube to be. Then, using the requirements, we had to think about what steps we wanted to include. We drew out a lot of ideas for our project and then finally decided on something. We made our base, but we still had to make sure that all the steps would fit on our base. First, we used exact measurements and drew out our Rube plan on a whiteboard. Then we transferred that to paper. Using a piece of butcher paper, we cut it to the size of our Rube. Then, we measured or traced the materials we wanted to use onto the piece of paper. This planning step was to make sure that we knew where to put things and also so that we didn't run out of room. We stuck to our plan, but we did have to change a few things. Some of the times, we didn't have the right materials, so we had to alter our step a little, and then other times, the steps just weren't working, so we had to change them. Also, towards the end of building, we had to improve the efficiency of our Rube so we had to adjust a few things or experiment.
We went through a lot of steps because we wanted to make sure our Rube was going to work before we started constructing. We did a lot of brainstorms and planning. First, we had to come up with ideas on what we wanted our Rube to be. Then, using the requirements, we had to think about what steps we wanted to include. We drew out a lot of ideas for our project and then finally decided on something. We made our base, but we still had to make sure that all the steps would fit on our base. First, we used exact measurements and drew out our Rube plan on a whiteboard. Then we transferred that to paper. Using a piece of butcher paper, we cut it to the size of our Rube. Then, we measured or traced the materials we wanted to use onto the piece of paper. This planning step was to make sure that we knew where to put things and also so that we didn't run out of room. We stuck to our plan, but we did have to change a few things. Some of the times, we didn't have the right materials, so we had to alter our step a little, and then other times, the steps just weren't working, so we had to change them. Also, towards the end of building, we had to improve the efficiency of our Rube so we had to adjust a few things or experiment.
Process Pictures