New inventions hit the market every day.  Inventors are ordinary people with extraordinary ideas.  Sometimes they are more extraordinary than we would like.  In any case, all inventions involve two or more or the six simple machines.  New inventions are nothing more than  unique combinations of these six basic devices.

The Task

It is your job in this WebQuest to invent a new machine.  Not just any machine, but a compound machine based on the work of Rube Goldberg.  You will need to use all 6 simple machines in an unusual arrangement to accomplish a simple task.  You may choose from the following or come up with your own task:

• Breaking an egg
• Opening a door
• Sharpening a pencil

Use these resources to help you design your machine:

 Simple Machines

 More Simple Machines

 Even MORE Simple Machines!

  Rube Goldberg Site

 Rube Goldberg Lives On
 

The Process

You will need to find a partner to work with.  Once you have done that, please complete the following steps:

• Locate definitions for each of the 6 simple machines.  Write these on a piece of paper.
• Find out who Rube Goldberg was and how he constructed his inventions.
• Design an invention in the Rube Goldberg style.  You must use at least 1 of each machine and you must use a total of at least 20 simple machines.
• Draw a picture of your invention.  You may choose to make a poster or you may use a paint program on the computer to do this.
• Label the simple machines in your invention.

Evaluation

You will be evaluated on how well you complete this task.  You will need to turn in:

•  A list of simple machines and how they work.
•  A Labeled poster or other graphic representing your invention.

• How complete is your simple machines list?
• How well did you follow directions?  Did you use all 6 simple machines?  Did you use at least 20 in your invention?
• Did you construct your invention in the Rube Goldberg style?
• Did you accurately label all simple machines in you invention?

When you have finished this WebQuest, you will have learned what the 6 simple machines are and how they can be used.  You will also know who Rube Goldberg was and how he used simple machines to invent new machines and to entertain.