Conservation of Energy- Rube Goldberg Machines

Preliminary discussion and knowledge- Utilizing lecture discussion, power point display, online-laptop –applet investigations , and demonstration observation, students should develop a mastery of the following concepts:
Work and Energy Gravitational and Spring Potential Energy
Simple machine examples of pulley, incline plane, and lever
Principle of conservation of energy
Conservation principles as displayed by pendulum, springs and simple falling objects
Identifying the principles established by Rube Goldberg- Students should view examples of the 1950’s comic panels developed by Rube Goldberg. Students should also view several online video versions of these concepts. One example is the 2006 Honda commercial which displays the concepts being discussed in an elaborate “Rube Goldberg” energy conversion. This example is especially appropriate because it clearly displays individual components and utilizes not only a variety of mechanical conversions, but also some more sophisticated electronic and piezoelectric effects.
Strategy-Brainstorming and developing working components- This part of the lesson is entirely contingent upon what assortment of blocks, balls, cylinders, support stands, string, boards and any other components the instructor wants to make available to the student. Some possible scenarios to initiate student creativity could be:
Showing a domino effect of rectangular blocks knocking over other blocks
Mass falling upon one end of a lever and the rising end of the lever initiating a ball rolling or pendulum swinging.
Movement of a block falling or cart rolling dislodges a string which holds a loaded lever, pendulum, spring loaded cart.
A few of these scenarios and component actions can be modeled by the instructor to help initiate student inventiveness and thought processes.
Strategy- Building the Machine- Students now through trial and error and modification, building ,tearing down, and rebuilding create a sequence of events that transfer the energy of the ball entering by ramp to one end of the table and ultimately knocking a ball sitting at the other end of the table and into a bucket. This is a multiple period project and each day the machine must be dismantled and rebuilt so there is opportunity for diagramming, note taking and drawing to keep design record and also upon rebuilding often innovation comes to the for front in terms of simplification and efficiency.
Strategy- Other consideration- A diagram and description of the working of the machine (Rube Goldberg-like) as well as the making of a movie of the process, successful working and introduction and closing for the movie. This give students the opportunity for creativity in verse, song, and artistry.
Flip cam utilization- As the rubric indicates for the project, a movie of the process and ultimate working machine must be produced. This involves multiple clip production and movie creation. The flip cam becomes an integral record keeper and project finale. In addition to the actual filming of the working machine and included clips during construction students have the opportunity to be creative during the introduction, body of the film and ending with verse song and other creative inspirations.
Presentation- Each group presents their movie(LCD projection) and diagrammatic display to the class.
Rubric
RUBE GOLDBERG MACHINE – CONCEPTUAL PHYSICS

Successful Machine
Full length-success -15
FL –unsuccessful – 12
Part length-success-10
Partial-unsuccessful-8

15
Drawing/diagram
Neatand complete-15
Complete but lacking clarity and color- 12
Some effort but missing parts - 8


15
Movie- complete including introduction and explanation-15
Movie- but not complete – 12
Individual clips only- 8



15
Presentation-Diagram shown and movie presented -


10
TOTAL
55

GROUP MEMBERS_1.__________________ 2.____________________
3. ___________________ 4. ____________________