The Rube Goldberg Project: History Requirements
Part I: Topic, Timeline, Research, and Decoration
STEP 1: Begin by choosing the TOPIC of U.S. history you will focus on for the Rube Goldberg. Remember the period you choose must have a logical sequence of events that can be plotted on a timeline and decorated on your machine. Your topic must correlate with 8th grade U.S. History curriculum and standards. http://www.cde.ca.gov/be/st/ss/documents/histsocscistnd.pdf (Sign-Up’s will be available after the break. Please confer with your chosen group members and make a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd choice for your topic. No more than two groups may do the same topic! Groups may have no more than 4 members in a group! NO EXCEPTIONS!)
Timeline: Once you have decided on and signed up for your topic EACH GROUP MEMBER will need to create his or her own Timeline to record a minimum of 10 key events from the historical topic their choice. Include a brief description for each of the events. Be sure to choose events in which “motion” can be easily incorporated into your machine. (25 points) (Due date: February 3rd, 2014)
STEP 2: Research Worksheet: EACH GROUP MEMBER will research the group’s chosen topic using textbook and Internet sources. Plot the events/steps in a chronological sequence (use your timeline!). For each event/step the research should extensively demonstrate historical understanding of the topic. These events will be displayed on your machine, via decoration and motion. You need a minimum of 10 historical events/steps on your machine. (50 points) (Due date: February 3rd, 2014)
STEP 3: Rube Goldberg Pieces and Decoration Worksheet: After you have researched your topic EACH GROUP MEMBER will need to “brainstorm” which Rube Goldberg pieces help demonstrate the topic you have chosen through the use of motion. (i.e. tetherball, pendulum, pulley, dominos, etc.). In addition, the entire machine must be decorated in a way that reflects the topic. Specific emphasis should be placed on the ten (minimum) transfers of energy, since these help to tell the story of the historical event you have chosen. (50 points) (Due date: February 3rd, 2014)
Part II:
(Due April, 2014)
Machine, Report, Display Board
STEP 4: Build & Decorate your Machine so that your transfers of energy accurately (and cleverly!) tell the story of the period of history your group has selected. Then, Decorate the entire machine with emphasis on each of the transfers of energy to match the historical event it represents. For example, if your group chose the Revolutionary period and one of your key events is the Sugar Act, you could use sugar cubes or packets of sugar or a jar of sugar to have it thematically relate to the event. (100 points) Due Date: April 21st-April 24th, 2014
STEP 5: Report: Include an introductory paragraph explaining your topic/historical theme. Each paragraph that follows should explain and cover each historical theme/ transfer of energy that appears on your project. Explain how you chose to connect these two ideas. Finally, conclude your report with a description of the materials you used to build your project. Your reports must be 12 point font (New Times Roman, Courier New, or American Typewriter), Spell Checked, Double Spaced, and have a COVER PAGE. The cover page should include the name of the Project (i.e. Rube Goldberg), the theme (i.e. Industrial Inventions), and the names of all members of your group. (50 points)
***** YOUR REPORT MUST BE HANDED IN ON THE DAY YOUR MACHINE IS BROUGHT TO SCHOOL. NO REPORT = NO GRADE. PLEASE TURN REPORTS IN AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SCHOOL DAY… IN THE “RUBE GOLDBERG BASKET” IN MY ROOM, ROOM 208 ***** Due Date: April 21st-April 24th, 2014
The Display Board
STEP 6: The Display Board: Take your timeline with the 10 minimum key events and display them visually and in chronological order in the center of your display board. In addition, place a picture or drawing of the Rube Goldberg “piece” you used to showcase that event/transfer of energy. For example, if you used “Dominos” to show “soldiers falling in a battle” an image of the ‘dominos’ should be showcased along side of the event on your timeline. Make it look beautiful! Be creative! It should be neat and easy to understand. Thematic images (photos, paintings, primary text, etc.) should be incorporated for each event. (50 points) Due Date: April 21st-April 24th, 2014
The project is worth 325 points per person.
Part I: Is worth 125 points per individual
Part II: Is worth 200 points per group
*** Every person in the group should contribute to each part of the project.