BAEC SCIENCE FAIR
Fourth & Fifth Grade
Annual Rube Goldberg Contest
Rube Goldberg Contest
Wednesday, May 22, 2013, 06:00 PM
Burgettstown Elementary Center, Bavington Road, Burgettstown, PA
See Mrs. Baloga for information
Simple Machines
§ Incline: a ramp or slanted surface (i.e.: slide, stairs)
§ Wedge: shaped like an incline, but a moving incline (i.e.: nail, ax)
§ Screw: a cylindrical body with a helical groove cut into its surface (i.e.: bolt threads)
§ Lever: a bar that pivots upon a point called the fulcrum (i.e.: stapler, shovel, see saw)
§ Axle and Wheel: a wheel rotating about a fixed axle to bear a load. A gear is a wheel with teeth on it.
§ Pulley: consists of a wheel and axle with a grove on the outside of the wheel in which a rope runs to change direction of a load. Used to raise and lower weights.
Simple made Complex
Rube Goldberg drew cartoons to show how simple tasks can be accomplished with complex machines.
Early Machine Cartoon
Follow the steps to solve the simple task
Machine Club Invention Day
Students around the country hold Rube Goldberg Machine days
Rules for Participation
- Each team must submit a copy of a description and drawing of its machine by May 18th to Mrs. Baloga.
- All machines will be displayed and operated in the space provided at the contest. Only team members may participate in the machine setup. Each team is responsible for the security of its own machine. Intentional destructive action against other machines is cause for disqualification
- During the contest, the machine must complete a full cycle
- All written work must be completed by students. 85 – 90 % of the machine must be completed by the students. Parents are encouraged to lend a hand with building the machine, but please remember that it is the student’s project and they will have to operate the contraption at the judging.
Rube Goldberg Contest
Email: DBaloga@burgettstown.k12.pa.us
Website: www.burgettstown.k12.pa.us
Location: 100 Bavington Road, Burgettstown, PA
Phone: 724-947-8150