LEGO Robotics Rube Goldberg Lab
Overview
“Rube Goldberg Machines” have been tried and true (maybe stale?) hands-on projects in K-12 science classrooms; a way to teach elements such as simple machines, design thinking, motion, energy transfer, and more. In this lab, we explore the potential of educational robotics by building a Rube Goldberg machine with LEGO robotics mixed with other materials. The focus of this lab is on creativity and originality. To constrain the activity (and foster discussions between teams), each team must build a system that ends by extinguishing a candle. Teams will range in size from 2 people to 4 people depending on the total number of participants. Each team will have a LEGO Prime robotics kit and a laptop loaded with the LEGO Prime app, connected to their robot. They will have access to the shared materials, as well.
Learning Goals
Students will reflect on the elements of curriculum design
which integrates play and creativity into a content-based lesson.
The lab teaches two things at once: students learn how to use
LEGO robotics, a common tool in maker and STEM classrooms, while
also deepening their understanding of maker and STEAM pedagogies.
Students will:
- uses LEGO motors, sensors, and gears to build simple machines
- understand robotics design as a combination of sensing the world, reacting to sensor data, and controlling mechanical systems through software
- uses event-based programming and parallelism to accomplish goals
- describe and critique the activity in terms of constructivist learning and maker pedagogy
The Challenge
- extinguish a birthday candle at the end of your machine’s run
- combine LEGO and non-LEGO materials to create a Rube Goldberg machine
- use at least 1 LEGO sensors and 1 LEGO motors
- program the motor and sensor
- design a system that “works” but is also fun and novel
- each system must have at least 2 major components
- add decorative designs that enhance the theme of your machine
Prior activities
Before the lab, teams have been formed and members have been asked to review online examples of rube goldberg machines, and given a general overview of LEGO Prime Spike.
Stock Materials
- birthday candles, matches / lighters
- LEGO Spike Prime robotics kits (1 kit per team)
- extra LEGO people, bricks / gears / axles / etc.
- crafting:
- marbles, dominoes, magnets, coins
- string, rubber bands, tape, pipe cleaners, glue
- scissors, knives
- cardboard, paper, felt, foam, plastic, wood
- small cups, bowls, and containers
- markers, paint, and other art supplies
- equipment:
- laser cutter
- cricut
- inkjet printer
- glue guns
- 3D doodlers
- vinyl cutter
Procedure
After a brief introduction to the project and goals, students will be given time to explore the LEGO kits. Each team will have one LEGO Prime kit and one laptop configured to program the “brick”, which is already connected. Teams will get as much help as needed from instructors, both on the technical aspects of using LEGO robots, and the design of an interesting and creative Rube Goldberg machine. The instructor will keep track of time and monitor to make sure teams are making progress and can test their work before the final demo at the end of the lab.
Timeline (60 minutes):
- Explanation of the challenge (3 minutes)
- Teams work on project, instructors support with both ideas and using LEGO (40 minutes)
- Teams demo their Rube Goldberg machine (15 minutes)
Resources
Start!
- Grab your LEGO Spike Prime kit and laptop.
- Go to https://spike.legoeducation.com/prime/project:
- Click “New Project”
- Choose “Word Blocks”
- Make sure you can push a simple program to your robot
- Build and design your Rube Goldberg machine!