Engineering overview
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This document introduces the first annual Coffeechug Engineering Contest for 4th and 5th grade students. It will challenge students to design Rube Goldberg-style machines that work together to complete a task. Students will learn about simple machines, teamwork, and the engineering design process. They will have one week to design, build, test, and refine their machines before merging them all together. The contest aims to develop students' skills in science, creativity, and problem solving.
Engineering overview
- 1. Coffeechug Engineering Contest Based on Rube Goldberg Inventions November 2010 VOL. #1 ISSUE 1 Earlier in the year, we had a fantastic Egg Drop Challenge that we attempted for the first time. We had the students create commercials, posted a voting poll online, recorded our results, and tried to make it all interactive and on the internet. The students did a fantastic job. We wanted to continue with the success we had in accomplishing our goals of students collaborating and working together to complete a task. More importantly, we wanted them to learn from their mistakes and figure out how to makes things better and to not be afraid to try a new thought. Our fourth graders wanted something similar. One day we were brainstorming possible ideas and this whole idea originated. I contacted Rube Goldberg company to ask for permission to use a basic format similar to their high school/college competition. A few emails and phone call later, we were granted licensing waiver to use the basic ideas and a potential opportunity for myself to work with the company in the future to develop the competition na- tionally using internet and the web tools. We are going to be sampling some of my ideas out with this project. Our two classes will be working online to This is first annual Coffeechug Engineering Contest. collaborate and possibly another classroom from some- After brainstorming a new project for our 4th and 5th where in the US. Even if we cannot find another class- grade students we think we have designed a challenge room, students are going to have to work hard to make that will push them to their limits. Before we get into their contraptions merge together to complete one task. all the details, rules, format, etc., let us provide you a quick history. How will all of this work? Read on to find out more. Never tell people how to do things. Tell them what to do and they will surprise you with their ingenuity. ~George Smith Patton
- 2. Objective and Goals What are we trying to accomplish? Objective: Students are going to be demon- strating their knowledge and inquiry skills throughout this entire process of developing a machine to achieve a simple task. Students will be asked to demonstrate their knowledge of simple machines to design and construct a complex machine. They will also use their knowledge of potential and kinetic energy, Newton's 3 Laws, acceleration, speed, velocity, momentum, and gravity and how they are related to your machine or helping your machine to operate. Your own imagination and creativity are all you need to build a super Rube Goldberg ma- chine. Keep the light bulb shining even in times of darkness —Mr. Maurer Purpose: To demonstrate scientific skills, creativity, teamwork, and have a Noam Chomsky funtastic time by merging all contrap- Discovery is the ability tions together to press the spacebar on a to be puzzled by simple computer to demonstrate our success.
- 3. Contraption Requirements Continued The machine must not imply profane, indecent or lewd expressions. Any loose or flying objects must remain within the set boundaries of the machine. This includes, but is not limited to, drops of water, Contraption Requirements slivers of balloon, and other “small” objects. Steam and other gasses are exempt from this rule. The machine must complete the task as described No flames may be used on or within the machine. in the challenge. Machines must be safe and not harm team mem- The machine must be no larger than 2 ft. x 2 ft. in bers, the audience, or equipment outside the length and width. Height currently has no limits. bounds of the machines. No hazardous materials, The machine must have a minimum of five steps. explosives, or flames may be used on or within the There is no maximum number of steps. machine. The machine must include at least 3 different One power cord is allowed. types of simple machines Remember, in the end we need to sync up all ma- The machine must run for no more than two (2) chines to have one monster contraption. Seeking minutes per run. input from other teams members will be critical in Teams will have three (3) minutes before the first order to ensure success run to explain their machine. All responsibility for copyright permission rests with the team. No animals may be used in the machine. Michael Vance Innovation is the creation of the new or the re-arranging of the old in a new way.
- 4. Contraption Job Duties There is also going to be jobs/duties for students to work on outside of class. These are going to be little jobs that will have them dig a little bit deeper into cer- tain aspects of this project. All this information will be compiled on the wiki. Timeline of Events When we finish students will be asked to do a report on their findings and discoveries. Day 1 and 2: These days will be spent introducing Written Report the project, discussing simple machines, and Each group member needs to submit their own begin to brainstorm ideas for contraption. final design report that includes: Day 3, 4, 5, 6: These four days are for the building Written Report stages. Students will begin to build their contrap- Introduce your apparatus tions, test them out, and begin to work on sync- Explain what makes your machine so cool ing their contraptions up with the other teams. Explain the materials used for the machine Day 7: One day will be devoted to setting all con- Explain operational steps traptions up and doing a run through to make Explain problem encountered along the way and sure everything is a go. resolution use to solve them. Day 8: The final test. Parents, family, friends will Personal reflection be invited to watch the spectacle of all their hard What did you contribute? work. What did you like best? Day 9: Reflection and write up of the project. (see What did you learn from this project? next column) What could be improved? Michael Vance Innovation is the creation of the new or the re-arranging of the old in a new way.
- 5. MONTH YEAR www.coffeechugcontraptions.wikispaces.com The website above will be where we will document our journey. This is the first year for this project. Every time we have a chance to record, snap photos, and write up ob- servations we will add them to the wiki. VOL. # ISSUE # Aaron Maurer Carol Gronlund Phone: 563-359-3686 E-mail: Mr. Maurer: Bettendorf Middle School amaurer@bettendorf.k12.ia.us OR 2030 Middle Road aarmau@gmail.com Bettendorf, IA 52722 Mrs. Gronlund: cgronlund@bettendorf.k12.ia.us