About this resource
The students will watch the Ted Ed Talk Video "Audri's Rube Goldberg Monster Trap" and answer the corresponding Think and Discussion Questions. Talk about who Rube Goldberg was using the Wonderopolis biography at http://wonderopolis.org/wonder/what-is-a-rube-goldberg-machine for more information. Have the students access the https://www.rubegoldberg.com/artwork/automatic-blotter/?c=45 link to examine the following Goldberg cartoons: How to Get Rid of a Mouse, Putting the Cat to Bed, Simple Fly Swatter, Simple Parachute and Simple Lawn Sprinkler. Students will work in pairs to find the simple machines used by Goldberg in his art and how he compounded them to solve a simple problem. Students will decide on a basic task for using a "Rube Goldberg" approach for completion of the task. Students should complete this activity by combining at least three simple machines: lever, wheel and axle, pulley, wedge, screw, or inclined plane.
The students will draw a cartoon of their machine and its job, noting which machines were used in combination. Encourage students to use humorous elements as seen in Goldberg's work.
Curriculum & Standards
Related General Curriculum / Common Core Area
Science
Related Curriculum / Common Core Standard
Define a simple problem that can be solved through the development of a new or improved object or tool.