Name: Aaliyah, Julie-Anna, Matt

Period:
Date Started:
Due Date:
Group Members:
Foundations of Technology
Unit 4 Lesson 1: The Core Technologies
File 4.1.3: Rube Goldberg Design Brief Design Folio

Date:

1.
Define the Problem
Develop a problem statement that identifies the what, who, when and how the problem should be
addressed.
We have to create a Rube Goldberg that will open the page of a book. It must contain at
least 2 simple machines. Also we cannot touch the machines while it is in progress. The
Rube Goldberg machine must function for 10-30 seconds. Also we must be creative.

2.
Brainstorming
Sketch five possible subsystems that you might use in your final design to meet the criteria and
constraints of the design challenge. Clearly identify and describe how each of these ideas uses core
technologies and simple machines.

2013 International Technology and Engineering Educators AssociationFoundations of Technology, Third

Edition /
Technology, Engineering, and Design

2013 International Technology and Engineering Educators AssociationFoundations of Technology, Third

Edition /
Technology, Engineering, and Design

3. Research and Generating Ideas

In the space below, document your research. Be sure to include proper citations at the end of your
notes.
Notes:
-A Rube Goldberg machine is a contraption, invention, device or apparatus that is
deliberately over-engineered to perform a simple task in a complicated fashion, generally
including a chain reaction
-first step is deciding what the output is, or what you want to happen in the end
-can use rolling tape to turn page (adhesive sticks to page)
-well known for depicting complicated devices that performed simple tasks in indirect
convoluted ways

Citations/References
ttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rube_Goldberg_machine
http://www.lisagraff.com/rube-goldberg-machine.html
http://makezine.com/2012/01/10/page-turning-rube-goldberg-machine/

4.

Identifying criteria and specifying constraints

2013 International Technology and Engineering Educators AssociationFoundations of Technology, Third

Edition /
Technology, Engineering, and Design

What are the criteria and constraints of the design problem?

Criteria
Constraints
Must include at least 5 of the 9 core
technologies.
Must include at least 2 simple machines.

Must be constructed from materials provided by the

teacher and one additional item from home (teacher
approval is required)
Must fit within a 24 wide x 24 long x 18 high
volume.
Must complete the selected task in between 1 and 3
minutes
Must be safe to operate.
Once the initial step is put in motion, the device
cannot be touched or altered

Materials List: Based on your brainstorming and the criteria and constraints, list the materials you plan to
use to meet the design requirements.
tape
string
water
bucket
cup
dominoes
inclined plane (books)
weight
toy car
table
5.
Exploring possibilities
Reflect on your brainstorm ideas and research notes and describe the plusses and minuses of each
design approach you have considered.
Brainstorming

Idea

Idea 1
(Tape)
Idea 2
(Has Water)

Idea 3
(Has Balloon)

Pluses

Minuses

follows all criteria and

constraints

may be hard to construct, tape might

not work

would eventually turn a page in

a book

will be dangerous around electrical

outlets, doesnt follow all criteria and
constraints

would eventually turn a page in

a book

doesnt follow all criteria and

constraints

Did alternative solutions arise as you initially evaluated your designs? Cite examples.
2013 International Technology and Engineering Educators AssociationFoundations of Technology, Third
Edition /
Technology, Engineering, and Design

6.

Selecting an Approach
a. Enter the constraints and criteria of the project in the first column.
b. Score your brainstorming ideas against each constraint or criterion and indicate how
well the idea meets the criteria and constraints.
3 pts = easily meets, 2 pts = somewhat meets, 1 pt = does not meet
c. Total the columns and circle the highest score to indicate your best design idea.
d. Write a short paragraph justifying your solution. Include trade-offs that were made in
the selection.

Constraint/Criterio
n

Brainstorming

Brainstorming

Brainstorming

Idea 1

Idea 2

Idea 3

includes 5 core
technologies

includes 2 simple
machines

fit within a 24 wide

x 24 long x 18 high
volume

can be done within

10-30 seconds

does not have to be

touched/altered after
initial step

15

11

11

Total

Justify the solution

2013 International Technology and Engineering Educators AssociationFoundations of Technology, Third

Edition /
Technology, Engineering, and Design

7.
Developing a Design Proposal
Take your highest scoring brainstorming ideas and create working drawings (sketches with dimensions,
so that you could build your project) of your complete device. Attach your working drawings to this
sheet.
In addition to the drawings in your design proposal, use the material type and cost data in the design
brief to predict the cost of materials for your device. Remember, the customer wants to keep the cost
of the device down as much as possible. The following table will help you organize your cost data and
calculate a predicted cost before you build.

Material to be Used
bucket (Aaliyah)

Qty
1

Cost Per Unit

0

books (inclined plane)

Total Cost
$0
$0

2013 International Technology and Engineering Educators AssociationFoundations of Technology, Third

Edition /
Technology, Engineering, and Design

water (from water bottle) (Matt)

$0

roll of tape

$0

dominoes (Jewels)

12

$0

plastic cup (Matt)

$0

hair dryer (Aaliyah)

$0

ice cube

$0

table or desk

$0

plank of wood

$0

string

$0

We had some issues with our project.

2013 International Technology and Engineering Educators AssociationFoundations of Technology, Third

Edition /
Technology, Engineering, and Design