Rube Goldberg comes to Saltar's Point Elementary
Posted on February 10, 2011
An example of a Rube Goldberg machine from one of his illustrations.
By John Cohen, District Communications Director
A science unit caused things to hop and pop in the Saltar’s Point classrooms of Mrs. Barton and Mrs. Merritt.
After completing study of the Foss "Models and Designs" science kit, the two 5th grade classes participated jointly in a culminating project. Students were challenged to design and build a Rube Goldberg-type 'machine' to pop a balloon with a pin using household items each group provided. Some examples of items used in the Goldberg machine included wind-up toys, dominos, paper towel tubing and even an old shoe!
During the project, students worked in teams to draw conceptual models, write a detailed materials list and outline a set of procedures used to pop their balloon.
The designs were creative and showcased the students’ ability to apply scientific knowledge while working in a cooperative setting.
As a former teacher, Salter’s principal, Mr. Joel Lang, taught the Models and Designs unit for many years and suggested this activity that the two classroom teachers brought to reality.
As a result, science and engineering became very real for students in these two Saltar’s Elementary School classrooms.
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