Integrated Arts Series: Lesson 6 – Force & Rube Goldberg Machines

For the sixth installment of this ongoing series of easy, fun and engaging arts integration activities that kids and families can enjoy together, we’re exploring force. Integrating the arts with students’ everyday academics is proven to increase comprehension and retention! Whether your kids are learning virtually, in a classroom setting, or homeschooled, there are plenty of opportunities to learn together with this wacky invention activity.

Thanks to our friends at Oklahoma A+ Schools, we’re continuing a 6-month series of easy, fun and engaging arts integration activities that kids and families can enjoy together. Bonus: integrating the arts with students’ everyday academics is proven to increase comprehension and retention!

Lesson 6: What does Rube Goldberg Teach Us about Force? 

Force is the strength or energy that causes motion. Pushes and pulls can create all kinds of motion. One artist took that concept to the extreme and designed fabulous contraptions to do the simplest tasks. His name was Rube Goldberg. He was an artist who drew over 50,000 cartoons in his lifetime. He is best known for his contraptions that solved simple tasks, like turning on a light, in the most complicated, inefficient way possible. If you look carefully at one of his cartoons, you’ll see many, many examples of force in action. The cartoon below outlines the steps to make a “simple” fly swatter. To see more of his inventions, visit https://www.rubegoldberg.com .

Artwork Copyright © and TM Rube Goldberg Inc. All Rights Reserved. RUBE GOLDBERG ® is a registered trademark of Rube Goldberg Inc. All materials used with permission. rubegoldberg.com

Create a Rube Goldberg Machine

Design your own complicated, inefficient contraption to complete a simple task. The more steps, the better!

1. Look up Rube Goldberg’s work
   1. Get inspiration for your machine from comics and other people’s designs. Want to see one of our favorite over-the-top examples? Check out this music video from the band OK Go: https://youtu.be/qybUFnY7Y8w
2. Choose a problem to solve. 
   1. Think of something super simple like turning on a light, popping a balloon, or watering a plant.
3. Gather your materials:
   1. You can use any material you can think of or find for a Rube Goldberg Machine. This is a perfect time to pull out all of your recycling! Here are a few suggestions:
      1. Recycling like: cardboard boxes, cans, water bottles, toilet paper tubes, cereal boxes, etc.
      2. Dominoes
      3. Balls
      4. String
      5. Toys
      6. The possibilities are truly endless!
4. Follow these steps to create your machine: Ask: What is the problem you’re trying to solve?
   1. Brainstorm: What are the possible solutions?
   2. Collect: What ideas and materials will you incorporate? What will your solution look like? Think of ideas and start planning.
   3. Develop: Follow your plan and build
   4. Evaluate: Test your solution. Did it work?
   5. Fine Tune: How can you make it better?

Integrated arts activities are created by certified teachers and provided by Oklahoma A+ Schools to meet the Oklahoma Academic Standards across multiple content areas. Find more activities at metrofamilymagazine.com/integrated-arts.