Basic Rube Goldberg Machine STEM Activity

Ignite curiosity and creativity with the Basic Rube Goldberg Machine Activity! Perfect for classrooms or virtual learning, this engaging activity empowers students to design and build their very own Rube Goldberg machine. It fosters teamwork, critical thinking, and hands-on exploration of simple machines and cause-and-effect relationships. The kit includes clear instructions and flexible materials, and can be customized in size or complexity, to suit your group’s needs. Ideal for group projects, homeschool, individual or STEM challenges, this activity makes learning fun and memorable.

Students love doing hands-on activities. This activity is a basic example of how to teach a class to design a basic Rube Goldberg chain reaction machine!

I have used this activity with my high school physical science class, but it can also be adapted for upper elementary school, middle school, home school and virtual learning.

There are directions for doing this project in class AND for doing it at home. If students do it from home, I have them take a video of their project and send it in. I included a video permission form for parents that you can send to them to sign. If they can't do a video or if you don't feel comfortable, they can write a paragraph explaining what they created and have parents and/or students sign off that they did it.

Included in this product:

1. Introduction to the concept

2. Teacher directions, tips and ideas

3. Student worksheet-with directions for in class

4. Student worksheet-with directions for at home

5. Video permission form (if you are doing virtual)

6. Rubrics for grading

To do this activity, students will need:

• Pencil

• “Basic Rube Goldberg in the Classroom” packet OR “Basic Rube Goldberg at Home” packet for each student

• Materials to build machines (if in the classroom, you’ll need a marble and balloon for each group)

• Tip: tape and scissors are usually good tools for students when building their machines.

Check out my YouTube video of a Rube Goldberg Machine that I made in my classroom!

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If you have any questions, feel free to email me at edventureswithmrsd@gmail.com.

Thank you!