1. November 18, 2015 Dear Parents /Guardians and Students, In Science, we recently completed a unit for force and motion. One way to enhance learning is to have students design and build a “Rube Goldberg” contraption OR a bridge that allows them to demonstrate the effect of forces on an object. I am asking that they make all attempts to use items from around the house such as, craft sticks, marbles, wood scraps, rulers, clay, aluminum foil, and paper towel tubes. In this way we are teaching the students to both be resourceful, environmentally aware, and creative with the materials they already have on hand. Lego and other ‘building’ type of toy sets are not permitted. Also, all projects must be small enough to be independently carried into the school by the child. Students will need to draw out a plan before constructing their models and will also need to be able to demonstrate how forces are at work in their project. The bridge requirements is that it be made of many small pieces of material attached together without the use of nails or screws. It must have a clear 1ft span underneath under which weights will be hung to determine the strongest bridge in each class. Its maximum length is 4ft and the minimum is 3 feet. The “Rube Goldberg” device must have at least 5 distinct steps with the forces at work labeled in 5 locations. They also need to use at least four different types of simple machines to create their project. These include gears, inclined plane, levers, pulleys, screws, wedges, or wheel and axles. Students will receive a grade based on their completed projects and their explanations of the forces and motion involved. I encourage you to work on the project with your child and help them with anything on which they may need assistance. I will post some pictures on my website of similar projects for some ideas. This project should be brought to school completed by Tuesday December 15. Thank you for your support, Mrs. Welch _________________________________ ________________________________ Student signatureParent Signature

2. earnedNeeds More Poor Good Excellent Machines 30 pts Only one type of simple machine is used 5 Two different types of Simple Machines are used 10 Three different types of simple machines are used 20 Four different types of Simple Machines are used 30 Reliability 20 Does not work 5 Works 1/3 time 10 Works 2/3 times 15 Works every time 20 Process 30 Includes at least 2 separate and distinct steps 5 Includes at least 3 separate and distinct steps 10 Includes at least 4 separate and distinct steps 20 Includes at least 5 separate and distinct steps 30 Forces 20 No forces are labeled or indicated on project 5 At least one force is labeled in 2 locations 10 At least two forces are labeled in 3 locations 15 Three types of forces are labeled in at least 5 locations 20 Experiment Rubric‘RUBE’ Rubric earnedNeeds more PoorGoodExcellent Drawing 30 Drawing not present Vague drawing unclear connection to actual bridge 10 Drawing similar to finished bridge 20 Drawing is precise depiction of actual bridge. Forces are labeled 30 Bridge 50 Does not Meet any requirements For materials (recycled-no nails, small parts), length (2ft), or span (1ft.) 20 Meets one of the three requirements 30 Meets 2 of the three requirements 40 Meets all three requirements 50 Weight 20 Supports less than 2lb 5 Supports up to 4 lb 10 Supports up to 6 lb 15 Supports up to 8 lb 20 Bridge Rubric