Whole-School Rube Goldberg Machine Project

Theme: “The Great Cardboard Chain Reaction”
Materials: Cardboard (main), Makedo tools & screws, tape, string, paper tubes, boxes


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Nursery – Rolling Objects

Make: Cardboard balls, tubes, or simple rolling shapes

Focus: Rolling and moving

Passes to: Reception’s ramp



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Reception – Ramps and Slides

Option A: Straight ramp made from a long piece of cardboard, supported by boxes

Option B: Curved slide or zig-zag track made from folded strips of card

Focus: Gravity, speed, and testing angles



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Year 1 – Triggers and Flaps

Option A: Drop gate – a hinged flap that opens when hit by the ball

Option B: Cardboard seesaw – one end tips up to roll the next ball

Focus: Push and pull forces, balance



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Year 2 – Dominoes and Lifting Levers

Option A: Cardboard domino chain – light rectangular pieces that fall in a sequence

Option B: Lifting lever – a balance beam that raises a flap or ball when pressed

Focus: Cause and effect, simple machines



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Year 3 – Wheels and Spinners

Option A: Spinning wheel – round cardboard disc fixed with a Makedo screw pivot

Option B: Rolling cylinder – a cardboard tube that rolls forward to trigger something

Focus: Rotational motion and direction



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Year 4 – Funnels and Spirals

Option A: Card funnel – wide top narrowing down to direct the ball

Option B: Card spiral – long strip wound into a spiral ramp (like a helter-skelter)

Focus: Controlling speed and path



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Year 5 – Towers and Drop Chutes

Option A: Vertical tower – stacked boxes or tubes where a ball falls through cut-out holes

Option B: Tilting ramp tower – each level tips slightly to pass the ball to the next

Focus: Gravity and sequential flow



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Year 6 – Final Mechanism / Celebration

Option A: Target lever – ball hits a cardboard arm that flips up a “Mission Complete!” sign

Option B: Card spinner finale – impact turns a fan or spinner that reveals a message or flag

Focus: Chain reaction and system finish



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The Ryvers Rube Goldberg Challenge

A Whole-School Design & Engineering Challenge
Introduction

What is a Rube Goldberg Machine?
A Rube Goldberg machine is a chain reaction device that completes a simple task in a creative and over-complicated way.

Project Aims:

Encourage creativity and problem-solving

Develop teamwork and collaboration

Explore forces, motion, and simple machines

Use recycled cardboard and safe materials


Suggested Timeline:

1. Plan → 2. Build → 3. Test → 4. Debug → 5. Link stages → 6. Celebrate



Resources / Inspiration:

NCCE STEM Lessons

STEM Learning: Simple Machines

Science Sparks – Simple Machines

Instructables – Cardboard Rube Goldberg

Exploratorium Rube Goldberg Examples
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Nursery – Rolling Objects

Learning Focus: Motion, rolling, experimentation
Design Options:

1. Cardboard balls


2. Cardboard tubes



Hints & Tips:

Test rolling objects on small ramps first

Encourage decoration & experimentation

Observe which shapes roll best


Key Vocabulary: roll, ball, tube, motion, gentle slope

Reflection Questions:

Which object rolled the farthest?

How could we make it roll faster or slower?

Reception – Ramps & Slides

Learning Focus: Gravity, incline, speed control
Design Options:

1. Straight ramp


2. Curved slide / zig-zag



Hints & Tips:

Add side walls to keep balls on track

Test ramp angle adjustments

Connect smoothly to Nursery balls


Key Vocabulary: ramp, slide, slope, incline, gravity

Reflection Questions:

How does the angle affect speed?

Did the ball reach the next stage successfully?

Year 1 – Flaps / Seesaws

Learning Focus: Push/pull forces, simple triggers
Design Options:

1. Drop gate (hinged flap)


2. Cardboard seesaw



Hints & Tips:

Ensure fulcrum is stable

Use light cardboard for moving parts

Test multiple times for smooth motion


Key Vocabulary: flap, hinge, seesaw, pivot, trigger

Reflection Questions:

Did the flap open correctly?

How could you make it more reliable?

Year 2 – Dominoes / Lifting Levers

Learning Focus: Cause & effect, sequence, simple machines
Design Options:

1. Domino chain


2. Lifting lever



Hints & Tips:

Ensure uniform domino height for stability

Test lever with small weights first

Combine domino → lever triggers


Key Vocabulary: domino, lever, lift, sequence, trigger

Reflection Questions:

Which part triggered most reliably?

How could you improve the chain?

Year 3 – Wheels / Spinners

Learning Focus: Rotation, motion transfer
Design Options:

1. Spinning wheel


2. Rolling cylinder



Hints & Tips:

Use Makedo screws or dowels as pivots

Add cardboard paddles for better motion

Align carefully for smooth spin


Key Vocabulary: wheel, axle, pivot, spin, motion

Reflection Questions:

Did the wheel spin easily?

How could you increase momentum?

Year 4 – Funnels / Spirals

Learning Focus: Motion control, direction, ramps
Design Options:

1. Card funnel


2. Spiral ramp



Hints & Tips:

Support curved strips underneath

Smooth surfaces reduce friction

Test with different ball sizes


Key Vocabulary: funnel, spiral, ramp, gravity, friction

Reflection Questions:

Did the ball stay on track?

What could improve the flow?

Year 5 – Towers / Drop Chutes

Learning Focus: Gravity, sequencing, multi-level structures
Design Options:

1. Vertical tower


2. Tilting ramp tower



Hints & Tips:

Use supports to stabilize tower

Add side walls to guide ball

Test slow vs fast runs


Key Vocabulary: tower, chute, sequence, drop, guide

Reflection Questions:

Did all levels trigger correctly?

Which level needed adjustment?

Year 6 – Final Trigger / Celebration

Learning Focus: Timing, system integration, aesthetics
Design Options:

1. Target lever


2. Card spinner finale

General Hints & Strategies (All Year Groups)

Sketch first: Encourage each class to draw a rough plan of their section (input, mechanism, output) before building. This helps clarify which direction things should move, where supports are needed, and how to link to the next section.

Modular bases: Build each class’s mechanism on a separate cardboard base or platform (e.g. a stiff sheet or shallow box) so they can be joined easily.

Test frequently in small steps: After building a small part, test it before adding complexity. This helps isolate problems early.

Use adjustable supports: Use extra bits of cardboard, scrap pieces, or Makedo to shim or fine-tune angles.

Balance robustness and flexibility: Be firm enough so parts don’t collapse, but leave some “give” (loose joints, lightly taped pivots) so small adjustments are possible.

Document “failures”: Encourage pupils to note what didn’t work and why. Iteration is part of engineering.

Connect clearly: Ensure that each section has a well-defined “handover point” — for example, a ball exits this class’s mechanism and lands or triggers something in the next class’s mechanism.

Time / stage management: Allocate time for planning, building, testing, debugging, and linking. Don’t skip the testing phase.

Encourage creativity & choice: Even within constraints (cardboard, Makedo), allow pupils to vary shapes, colors, themes — this increases engagement.



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👶 Nursery to Year 6: Hints, Pointers & Web Resources

Below is a breakdown for each year, with stage-specific hints and possible linked resources to support teaching & learning.

Nursery

Focus: Rolling / object creation and exploring motion

Hints & Pointers:

Provide simple templates or stencils for circles or cylinders to make rolling shapes.

Test on small ramps to see how well they roll (flat surfaces, incline).

Encourage exploration: e.g. try balls vs cylinders vs tubes, see which roll more smoothly.

Let children decorate their rolling objects (colour, patterns) to observe how uniform shape affects roll.


Resources:

As inspiration: “Build Your Own Goldberg Machine From Cardboard!” gives simple slide/ball ideas.

“TinkerLab: Engineering Kids – Rube Goldberg Machine” offers ideas on how to make simple chain reactions with young children.



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Reception

Focus: Ramps, slides & inclined planes

Hints & Pointers:

Start with gentle slopes; test with nursery’s rolling object to see how far/fast it goes.

Try varying angles and measure speed (e.g. mark start and end points).

Add side-walls to ramps (using folded strips) to keep the ball from falling off.

Test transition from ramp end to next mechanism (e.g. ensure ball lands cleanly into a trigger or flap).

Encourage pupils to adjust angle (raise or lower one end) to fine-tune motion.


Resources:

TeachEngineering’s “Engineering: Simple Machines” lesson gives solid background on inclined planes and other simple machines.

Instructables article “Build Your Own Goldberg Machine From Cardboard” shows how to build slides and sequential steps.

Elementary Nest’s collection of simple machines project ideas, including ramps/inclined planes.



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Year 1

Focus: Flaps, drop gates, seesaws, simple triggers

Hints & Pointers:

Use Makedo hinges or folded strips for flaps; allow for smooth pivoting.

When using seesaws, ensure the fulcrum is stable (e.g. a glued dowel, tube, or stacked cardboard).

Use light materials (thin cardboard) for moving parts so triggers respond easily.

Add “buffers” (small cardboard lips) to guide the ball onto a flap or see-saw without it bouncing off.

Test the trigger — sometimes the ball may not have enough momentum; adjust heights or drop distances.


Resources:

Instructables’ cardboard Rube Goldberg machines includes flap and tilt ideas.

“Build a Simple Rube Goldberg” blog includes simple lever / seesaw suggestions and how to chain parts.

6 Great Simple Machines Projects (Elementary Nest) offers beginner-friendly activities with levers and lifts.



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Year 2

Focus: Domino chains, lever lifts, cascading movements

Hints & Pointers:

Dominos: make sure they are uniform height and stable; test in short lengths first.

Levers: attach a small tray or platform to one end so a ball or object can land and tip it.

Use short strings or light connectors to help the motion transmit (e.g. pull tabs).

Consider combining a domino effect into a lever (i.e. last domino knocks lever).

Use trial runs with slightly larger objects first to test the force needed.


Resources:

“Build a Simple Rube Goldberg” shows combining dominoes and levers in chain reactions.

TeachEngineering simple machines lesson (lever, wheel & axle, inclined plane) for conceptual background.

Elementary Nest project ideas include linking simple machines (e.g. lever + wedge + pulley) for kids.



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Year 3

Focus: Wheels, spinners, pulleys, rotational motion

Hints & Pointers:

Use cardboard discs around a central pivot (Makedo screw or dowel) for wheels/spinners.

Add vanes or paddles to increase surface area so a light object or ball can turn the wheel.

For pulley ideas, use string and simple loops; ensure smooth path without too much friction.

Keep rotating parts well-aligned; test with light loads first.

Use “idler” wheels or guides to keep string from slipping off.


Resources:

TeachEngineering’s simple machines resource introduces wheel & axle, pulleys, levers.

Instructables’ cardboard Rube Goldberg projects often use wheels/discs and string mechanisms.

The “6 Great Simple Machines” page includes ideas and visuals for wheels, pulleys, and more.



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Year 4

Focus: Funnels, spiral ramps, cam motion, converting rotary to linear motion

Hints & Pointers:

For spiral ramps: cut long strips and curve them into spirals, use supports underneath to hold shape.

Funnels: use concentric circles or cut rings and stack to approximate a funnel shape.

If introducing cams (eccentric circles): the cam should push gently on a follower arm; start with a small offset and test.

Use smooth surfaces (cover cardboard with tape or smooth paper) to reduce friction.

Test clearance: moving parts should not rub too much, should have slack or bearing points.


Resources:

Instructables’ “Build Your Own Goldberg Machine From Cardboard” includes example ramps, curved paths.

“Build a Simple Rube Goldberg” suggests combining ramps, pulleys, and tipping mechanisms in creative ways.

Elementary Nest’s simple machines resource has extension ideas for intermediate students.



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Year 5

Focus: Multi-level chutes, towers, switches, alternative paths

Hints & Pointers:

Use stacking and layering of cardboard to create vertical drop paths.

Add flaps or “switches” (hinged cardboard) to divert the ball or object along different branches.

Use “funnels to chute” transitions carefully — align edges precisely so objects don’t snag.

Use guides (side walls) to keep the ball in the intended path.

Test slow vs fast runs: sometimes slowing the object helps more reliably trigger next stage.

Use redundant triggers (e.g. two small flaps) to increase reliability.


Resources:

Instructables’ cardboard Rube Goldberg machines includes multi-level drop paths.

“Build a Simple Rube Goldberg” blog highlights how to chain multiple mechanisms and tiers.

Elementary Nest’s extension ideas often include more complex switches or alternative path control.



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Year 6

Focus: Final triggers, system integration, refinements, aesthetics

Hints & Pointers:

Encourage students to review the entire chain — see where weak spots or time lags may occur.

Build in buffers or delay mechanisms if something triggers too fast or too slow.

Add final dramatic effect (e.g. knocking over a sign, lifting a flag, ringing a bell) — ensure it’s lightweight.

Use decorative elements, theming, and story so the machine is visually engaging.

Time the run and make slight adjustments (angles, friction, mass) to improve reliability.

Let students reflect: what section was most problematic? What would they redesign next time?


Resources:

Connections Academy’s “Steps to Build Your Own Rube Goldberg Machine” gives general scaffold and encourages iteration.

Instructables’ “Cardboard Rube Goldberg Machine” shows a completed example from start to finish.

The Wikipedia article on Rube Goldberg Machines gives historical context and many example devices for inspiration.



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🎓 Pedagogical & Curriculum Links

Use the “simple machines” concept (lever, wheel & axle, pulley, inclined plane, screw, wedge) as a backbone for teaching mechanical thinking.

Use jigsaw activities to allow students to become experts in one simple machine and teach others. (See “Simple Machines Tour Educator’s Guide”)

Use anchor charts and visual displays of simple machines and examples around the school (tools, playground, carts) to reinforce cross-linking.

Use a design cycle model (Plan → Build → Test → Reflect → Improve) explicitly each year.

Encourage metacognition: ask students to think about why a mechanism failed (friction, alignment, weight) and how they might fix it.

Use cross-curricular links:

Mathematics: measuring lengths, angles, proportions, calculating drop distances

Art & Design: decoration, theming, structural aesthetics

Literacy: documenting process, labeling parts, writing instructions

History/Engineering: show real-world machines and how simple machines combine in complex systems