Simple Machines, STEM, and Rube Goldberg

As children we loved a game by the Ideal Toy Company called The Mousetrap Game. Based on Rube Goldberg’s creative ideas of complicated systems for solving a simple problem, the game actually was a captivating engineering exercise that utilized simple machines and STEM.

Fifty years later, the game is still available and still intrigues students as they try to solve the challenges. Simple machines, engineering, and inspiration from Rube Goldberg provide a wonderful combination for STEM problem solving challenges. Critical thinking, perseverance and application of physical science concepts are just some of the skills that can be developed in this game and other STEM contraption activities.

Over the years we have also loved the Rube Goldberg inspired contraptions that have been included in movies from Back to the Future ‘s opening scene and its complicated way of feeding the dog, to the Home Alone devices to foil the robbers and the Honey, I Shrunk the Kid’s gadgets and mechanisms. Even Buzz Light Year inToy Story used a Rube Goldberg sequence to show he could fly. Amusing to watch and filled with suspense, one can’t help being mesmerized while waiting for the next thing to happen and being delighted when it really works.

Creating contraptions inspired by Rube Goldberg is all about physical science and simple machines. Although humorous, they actually follow a logical sequence that takes into account force, motion, gravity and inertia. The cartoons he drew, available on-line, are a great way to introduce a simple machines unit. Another mesmerizing opener for a unit is the YouTube video created by Ok Go for their song “This Too Shall Pass”:

https://youtu.be/qybUFnY7Y8w

Trust us, your students will want to watch it several times to see all the amazing steps that were engineered. (We love watching the engineers in the balcony cheering at the end!)

RESOURCES

Goliath Boomtrix Multiball Kinetic Metal Ball Chain Reaction Stunt Kit - Fun - Educational - STEM

KEVA Contraption Kit

Klutz chain Reaction

Rube Goldberg’s Simple Normal Humdrum School Day

Rube Goldberg and His Amazing Machines

Don’t want to actually build a contraption? Drawing a machine can lead to some good discussions about force and motion as well as provide a creative environment where the only thing limiting them is their imagination. Using bowling balls, large swings, and teeter-totters might not be possible in the classroom but are easily included in an illustration. One idea that works well is to provide each student with a silhouette outline of their head. In the outline, have them draw a favorite activity and then work backwards to add unique steps to perform the task. This makes a great display for a parent open house and is a keepsake that the families will love.

Brainworks

Whether you draw, build, read about it, or just enjoy the videos, exploring creative contraptions will provide plenty of brain push-ups , review of simple machines and physics, and inspiration for STEM.

We hope you and your students “Get Caught Engineering” soon.

Wendy and Cheryl

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