Skip to main content

Rube Goldberg Science Project.

It's Sunday!  Isn't everyone working on their Rube Goldberg Science Project for 6th grade like we are?  Well, not really me, I'm just in charge of drinks and snacks.  My husband and son are working in the garage on one of the pieces for the science project.  Although they haven't put all of the components together, they are finalizing details on the biggest piece and end result of the project.  Over the next few weeks, I will be breaking down this science project for you in more detail.




Rube Goldberg (1883-1970) was a Pulitzer Prize winning cartoonist best known for his zany invention cartoons. He was born in San Francisco on the 4th of July, 1883 – and graduated from U. Cal Berkeley with a degree in engineering. His first job at the San Francisco Chronicle led to early success, but it wasn’t until he moved to NYC and began working for Hearst publications that he became a household name. Rube Goldberg is the only person ever to be listed in the Merriam Webster Dictionary as an adjective. It’s estimated that he did a staggering 50,000 cartoons in his lifetime.


Volcano Experiment

This portion of the project is a volcano as shown in the pictures.  The materials needed include a plastic plate, polystyrene expanding foam, plastic bottle and paint in order to create this part of the science project.  My sixth grader is learning through hands-on experience using household items and science.  The best part is my younger son is learning as well because he is an observer of how his older brother executes the project by himself.  We are all at home learning through this homework assignment.  His goal will strategically build, place and execute the eruption of his volcano using nothing more than 6 simple tools:
  • Incline Plane
  • Wedge
  • Wheel & Axle
  • Screw
  • Lever
  • Pulley
volcano

Mad-Science Moment:

By the way, our home looks like a tornado hit it twice and then backed up over it because we pulled every single supply box out of the closet. We have not had time to put them back and the clean up will be left up to me now. My roll in helping with this science project is snacks and clean-up. I am okay with my support role because that is what a mother's love does.

Project overview...
 https://www.iusd.org/education_services/documents/Rube-Goldberg-Project-Overview.pdf

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

How to make a California Mission Model.

Learn how to make a California Mission Model at home or in the classroom. We made this project as part of the California Public School Fourth grade requirement in a group setting. Continue to read on to get the supply list and instructions for a successful mission model. On an ordinary day, I was reminded how amazing kids really are when there are no limits. Just as equally amazing are the teachers who guide them and teach them everyday.  I am very thankful for the opportunity that I was given as a parent volunteer.  The day was like a beautiful dance where parents, teachers and students came together for a common goal. The goal was to make models of California Missions from a simple picture and lots of cardboard.  I can honestly say the goal was reached and everyone deserved an "A".

State Testing and a letter of encouragement

State Testing CCSS SBAC is starting next week for our area.  This semester, my son's fourth grade teacher has asked that I write him a letter of encouragement.  She gave us a few weeks notice. I have, in the past few days, written a few handwritten notes of encouragement. Then, I would wake up the next day realizing that it was not loving enough and second guessing myself. This task has been a little hard for me.  Then, the final email reminder came from the teacher. It read as follow: "This is just a friendly reminder to please send a letter of encouragement to your student to be opened this coming Monday, May 1. Students will be given the letters prior to taking their first test."  Oh my goodness, I have to get it done!!! So, I put on my big girl pants and re-wrote the letter for the 5th time. This time, I made it classroom friendly and left out lots of the I love you's and all the mushy stuff I had written before. The letter went something like this:  Dea

Giveaway 1: Holiday handmade Tutu's

Yes, I am crafter. I make Tulle Tutu's for Sale. This holiday season I will be making these beautiful tutu gift packages for sale. I have been cutting and knotting to make beautiful pink girly tutu's for ages zero months up to adult size. Selling these handmade items will help me continue to fund family field trips and this blog. I traditional make them every year around this same time and I sell them around town. This year I am going to sell them online. My hope is to sell enough to help me save for a few want items that are on my wish list. But for now I will be happy if I just sell a few a week.   To get everyone excited about my tutu's I am giving one away this week to a lucky reader. All you have to do is tell me why you want to win one and what size you need it in.   I will randomly pick a winner. Tutu Lengths 0-3 months--- 5 inches 3-6 months--- 6 inches 6-12 months--- 8 inches 12-18 months---8.5 inches 2t------------------10 inches 3t----