Our grade 8 students have been busy constructing a Rube Goldberg device to pop a balloon. The device, a complex contraption consisting of several simple machines working together, showcased the students’ knowledge of energy transfer and simple machines in their Machanical Systems unit.

A Rube Goldberg device performs a simple task in an overly complicated way. It typically involves a series of chain reactions, where each step in the process triggers the next step until the final task is completed. In this case our task was to pop a balloon.

In pairs, students created smaller Rube Goldberg Devices with at least 4 tasks showcasing at least 3 simple machines. Students then chained their smaller machines together to create the classwide super Rube Goldberg Device with over 50 tasks carrying the kinetic energy from the beginning to the end where the balloon was waiting to be popped.

For example, when the marble rolled down the inclined plane, it gained kinetic energy. This energy was then transferred to a ball bearing, which then activated a pulley system. The pulley system lifted a weight, which gained potential energy due to its height above the ground. When the weight was released, this potential energy was converted to kinetic energy, causing the weight to drop and trigger the next step in the process.

The students also demonstrated a clear understanding of simple machines and how they can be used to make work easier. They recognized that each simple machine had a specific purpose and that by combining them, they could create a more complex machine that performed a more significant task.

In conclusion, the grade 8 students’ Rube Goldberg machine was not only an impressive feat of engineering but also a testament to their understanding of simple machines and energy transfer. By designing and constructing the machine, they were able to apply the knowledge they had gained in the classroom to a real-world problem. This project not only enhanced their learning but also showcased the potential of hands-on, project-based learning in science education.