Lesson plan (sk 5.4.08)

Teacher: not me

Subject: physics engineering design

Grade Level: 5+

Time Duration: one week

Objective: understand basic principles of physics; creative thinking about devices

Overview: Create a Rube Goldberg device

Lesson Design

Anticipatory Set (focus) – Go into a history of Rube Goldberg, who he was, and why his machines became so popular. Show clips from Wallace and Grommit movies, and the Honda commercial, which both use Rube Goldberg machines.

Presentation – Take an ordinary occurance, such as pouring a glass of water and, using the basic principles of physics, design and build an elaborate machine. Use Make 50 Wild and Wacky (But Useful!) Contraptions for inspiration and ideas. 

Practice – Go over the simple machines: lever, pulley, inclined plane, screw, wedge and wheel/axle, and their mechanics. Discuss the basic rules of thumb (page 11) and safety requirements. Conduct brief (20 minutes) brainstorm session before students decide their project. Students may work in groups or alone; those in groups will also have to each write a paper describing their individual contributions and evaluating their groupmates.

Closure – During the final two classes of the unit, each student/group will present their contraption to the class. If the contraption completes its purpose, an additional 5 points will be added to the final score. The rest of the grade will be based on structure, how the students worked with each other/in their groups, and the use of the properties of physics as discussed.