Use the creative and engineering design processes to come up with a new and creative way of accomplishing a simple task at home. Some simple tasks might include turning a light on/off, watering a plant, tossing your pet a treat, launching something into the trash, or opening a cupboard. The steps of the creative and engineering design processes are listed below. It might help to write down the steps as you go!
#1. Identify the Problem (“Idea”)
Decide which task you want to accomplish! If you aren't sure, look through some of the examples below to help you make up your mind.
#2. Gather Information (“Brainstorm”)
Brainstorm a list of ways you can accomplish the task you chose. Consider what materials you have access to at home, and how much space you will need.
#3. Develop a Plan (“Prepare” and “Plan”)
Create a detailed plan of what you will build, and start gathering your materials. Your plan should include written steps and/or a labeled diagram.
#4. Build and Test (“Create”)
Start building your design. You can test individual parts as you go, or get the whole thing set up and then test it.
#5. Redesign (“Refine”)
You can redesign as you build and test, or step back after building and testing to figure out how you need to change your "machine" to make it work better before going back to step #4.
#6. Reflect (“Evaluate”)
Once you have built a working Rube Goldberg machine that accomplished the task you chose, reflect on how the process went, and how well your machine worked. What part of the process was the easiest? What was most difficult? How well did your machine work? Did it work every time, or just sometimes?
Simple Rube Goldberg: Launch a Ball into a Bucket
See a small and simple Lego design for launching a ball into a bucket. You could so something similar to launch a piece of trash into the garbage, or toss a treat to your pet.
Rube Goldberg: Pass the Salt, Please
This video shows how you can get creative with your materials!
Rube Goldberg: The Easy Life
The Rube Goldberg machine in the video below shows you how to shut off an alarm, pour your cereal, turn the pages in a book, and even check your phone for messages!