Creating a Rube Goldberg Machine

 

The Rub Goldberg machine is an elaborate machine that uses chain reactions to fulfil a simple end task. Year 5 are playing a key role in the challenge and this week we began experimenting in the classroom.

 

Over the last few weeks the children have been shown many examples of Rube Goldberg machines. The have also learnt how to collaborate and delegate effectively when working in groups as these will be highly important skills throughout the project. Last week the children learnt all about how to take high quality photographs and videos as again, these are skills that they will need to make use of during the project.

 

This week Flamingos had their first chance to experiment with making an actual Rube Goldberg machine. The children were first shown all of the materials and equipment that they could choose to make use of in their machines – these were all items that were found in the school or items that would otherwise have been thrown away. The children were put into groups of 3 or 4 and challenged to create a mini-Rube Goldberg machine with at least 3 steps or reactions. This proved to be a challenging task and each group had to draw upon all of their problem skills in order to make their machine work. The children applied themselves really well, showing great resilience to keep on making the small adjustments needed for their reactions to work successfully.

 

Flamingos class are really looking forward to continuing this project and are excited at the prospect of creating an ambitious, elaborate Rube Goldberg machine.

 

By Danny Haden