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Wahoo Physics Students Make Simple Tasks Complex

Building A Better Mousetrap Using Rube Goldberg Machines

by Mr. Shannon on March 22, 2004

Here is an example of a Rube Goldberg device that helps golfers from having to bend over to tee up their golf ball!

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Here is an example of a Rube Goldberg device that helps golfers from having to bend over to tee up their golf ball!

Students in Mr. Shannon's Physics class were given the task of building Rube Goldberg machines, complex machines that perform simple tasks.   Rube Goldberg machines were the brain child of Reuben (Rube) Goldberg (1883-1970) who was a Pulitzer Prize winning cartoonist, sculptor, and author.

Through his wacky cartoons which depict the most elaborate and ridiculous devices to accomplish the most mundane tasks, RUBE GOLDBERG'S "INVENTIONS" have become synonymous with any maximum effort to achieve minimal results.  His ingenious drawings follow their own impeccable logic, demonstrating that the unnecessary can also be the mother of invention - often with hilarious results.

Mitch B, Scott C, and Marco B put the finishing touches on their Rube Goldberg machine.

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Mitch B, Scott C, and Marco B put the finishing touches on their Rube Goldberg machine.

The students were given the challenge of building Rube Goldberg machines that would complete a variety of simple tasks, like cutting a sandwich, making a bowl of cereal, or closing a door but complete these tasks in very complex ways.  By applying the concepts that the students have learned in physics over energy transfers, motion, and forces all groups were able to complete their machines with flying colors.

April P, Sam H, Laura G, and Amber W fine tune their Rube Goldberg machine.

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April P, Sam H, Laura G, and Amber W fine tune their Rube Goldberg machine.