My students need junk/supplies to invent and build fantastic Rube Goldberg machines to help complete a simple task like feeding a dog, or turning off a light.
My school is a small, rural community at the foot of the Rocky Mountains. We are low on resources, but strong in ideas, and fierce pioneering spirits. My third graders are curious and plunge head first into hands-on learning. They love science labs where they get to problem solve and be engineers. Whether they are creating the strongest bridges out of paper, or coming up with the recipe for the very best lemonade, they are motivated by the thrill of discovery, and what they can learn from mistakes.
My 3rd graders love to jump into hands-on and engaging projects.
In 3rd grade, students are so open to discovery and trying new things when presented with the challenge. Each and every one of them is an explorer at heart.
My Project
"To invent, you need a good imagination and a pile of junk." Thomas A. Edison. My students need junk/supplies to invent, design, and build fantastic, Rube Goldberg machines. These machines will complete a chore, like feeding the dog, in the students’ lives. The machines will have a minimum of 5 steps, involve at least three simple machines, and must not exceed two feet in width by two and a half feet in height. In the classroom, we will learn about simple machines and complex machines. We will study Rube Goldberg and see how creative innovators have brought to life some of Goldberg’s outrageous and fun ideas. Students will design and create a Rube Goldberg monster trap with peers in their classroom. Finally, students will combine what they have learned about science, technology, engineering, art and math to create their chore invention at home. We will have a Rube Goldberg Showcase in the classroom so that students can show off their inventions with the rest of the third graders at our school.
Students feel empowered when their creations come to life.
Creating a Rube Goldberg machine will be a functional and fun way to help out with a real world problem. It will involve knowledge of the six simple machines, measuring, speed and velocity, drawing, planning, creativity, art and problem solving. We will also have a build-day in my classroom, where parents and other community volunteers can come in and start to help build these machines with the students. This project will show students that math and science are not just useful in the classroom, but can solve real problems in their everyday lives.
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