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The Woods Academy

Where curiosity and confidence thrive.
Who is Rube Goldberg?
Mrs. Mullally, 5th & 6th Grade Science Teacher

Can you build a Rube Goldberg machine?

Rube Goldberg was an American cartoonist, sculptor, author, engineer, and inventor.  He is known for his cartoons depicting tasks being completed in the silliest and most elaborate ways.

Self-Operating Napkin

This winter the 6th graders were given the task of designing, constructing, testing, remodeling, and presenting their own Rube Goldberg machines.  Each machine needed to incorporate at least four different simple machines and at least four action transfers.


Additionally, students were not allowed to go purchase materials.  They needed to repurpose paper towel rolls, plastic soda bottles, popsicle sticks, cardboard boxes, etc.  They could also utilize the materials we had in the classroom, like Legos, K’NEX, wood blocks, and washers.


Check out the 6th Grader’s Rube Goldberg machines on Vidigami. Can you make a Rube Goldberg machine?