Rube Goldberg

Do you have that special person in your life who always takes that simplest task and makes it ten times more complicated than it needs to be? Well if so, they may be great at creating Rube Goldberg machines.

A Rube Goldberg machine is a machine that takes a simple process and makes it a multi-step process. Why? Because it is fun! Here are two great websites to introduce Rube Goldberg machines to your students. 

Goldburger to Go is a PBS Kids activity that challenges students to move a hamburger from point A to point B. Students will have to learn via cause and effect to solve this Golberg puzzle.

Burglar Catcher is another Golberg type puzzle, but this one adds a nice layer of physics to the mix. Students have to adjust several simple machines to accomplish their goal. 

After challenging students to solve these puzzles, enjoy the below music video featuring a very complex Rube Goldberg machine.