http://www.teachengineering.org/view_lesson.php?url=collection/cub_/lessons/cub_simp_machines/cub_simp_machines_lesson05.xmllessontext/xmlIntegrated Teaching and Learning Program, compound machinessimple machinesRube Goldbergsatireworkmechanical advantageCompound MachineMechanical AdvantageRube GoldbergSimple Machine

Simple and compound machines are designed to make work easier. When we encounter a machine that does not fit this understanding, the so-called machine seems absurd. In this lesson, the cartoons of Rube Goldberg are introduced and engage the students in critical thinking about the way his inventions make a simple task even harder to complete. As the final lesson in the simple machines unit, the study of Rube Goldberg machines can help students evaluate the importance and usefulness of the many machines around them.

One engineering challenge is to better society with advances in technology. Many of these greater advances in technology can be seen in machines invented by engineers. Rube Goldberg went to school to be an engineer, and after graduating, he decided to become an artist. He drew cartoons of inventions that did simple things in a very complicated way. His inventions involved many complex systems of simple machines, all organized in a logical row, to accomplish a simple task. An important skill for engineers is to evaluate the design of a machine for its genuine usefulness for its audience. Oftentimes, the best design is the simplest design.Understand why some engineered machines have an unquestionable benefit for society and others do not. Form a critical opinion about the importance of the machines they encounter in life. Explain that mechanical advantage is not always the best way to measure the value of a machine. 20TeachEngineering.orgMichael BendewaldMalinda Schaefer ZarskeJanet Yowellhttp://www.teachengineering.org/collection/cub_/lessons/cub_simp_machines/cub_simp_machines_lesson05_rube_goldberg.dochttp://www.teachengineering.org/collection/cub_/lessons/cub_simp_machines/cub_simp_machines_lesson05_rube_goldberg.pdfhttp://www.rube-goldberg.com/S11416D0International_Technology_Education_Association-ITEA_STL_StandardsTechnologyF. New products and systems can be developed to solve problems or to help do things that could not be done without the help of technology. 68S1141725International_Technology_Education_Association-ITEA_STL_StandardsTechnologyF. Social and cultural priorities and values are reflected in technological devices. 68S11424D2ColoradoSciencea. Predict and evaluate the movement of an object by examining the forces applied to it 88S11424D3ColoradoScienceb. Use mathematical expressions to describe the movement of an object 88United StatesCopyright 2012 - Integrated Teaching and Learning Program, College of Engineering, University of Colorado at Boulderhttp://www.teachengineering.org/policy_ipp.phphttp://www.teachengineering.org/2010-08-238Teacher