I knew you would show up here sooner or later! Many of you have recently requested (or even demanded) help on an upcoming Rube Goldberg project. Maybe you're just stuck in a creativity slump. Once you start, it'll get easier. I've put together a few tips for you, but remember, this is YOUR project! I'm not going to do all your work. How about sending me some of your own ideas, or tell your teachers to reply. That way, we can all help each other! If you want to have a picture or description of your machine here, send me some mail (see below).
THE TIPS:
1. Plan your machine on paper first. Use your imagination! 2. Start with one to two steps first - don't get carried away! Begin with the last step - what you're required to do, and work backwards.
3. From the garage, junk drawer, or your desk, gather the essentials: string, balls of different sizes, tape, empty cardboard tubes, more cut up cardboard from pizza boxes, any junk. Sit down and roll the ball around. Play with the stuff! See what it can knock over or make happen.
4. For some fun, use a mousetrap. Don't use rat traps - you can break the bones in your hand!
5. Don't use fire - too dangerous.
6. If you're really stuck, visit the sites on my other pages on creativity. Brainstorm - don't worry if an idea seems crazy - just write it down for now. In a great book by Harvey Weiss on inventing, he said something like: Write down as many uses for a pencil as you can. My mom and I got to 50, then we got headaches. The idea is to look at things in a new way. Can the ball knock down something else, or land on something, or pull something? Use your brain!
7. As someone once said "Gravity is your friend". Use it!
8. More things to gather: wire, empty thread spools or pulleys, old toys, small wheels.
9. If there is time later, make your machine sturdy from wood, nails, etc.
10. Your machine may only "run" for 5 seconds, but plan on testing each step over and over, before you continue.
11. Remember what your science teacher taught you about simple machines: levers, inclined planes, wheels...
12. Thought for the day: It's better to have a few steps that work well, then 15 steps that don't work at all!
That's it for now. Don't forget - it's your project!
Now for your chance to help out, and be famous, too. You're telling everyone your project is the BEST, so prove it. Email me what worked, or didn't work for you. Attach a picture of your machine to your email (ask your teacher for help). Send the step-by-step description of how it works. (The FINISHED project, not the one in your daydreams!) Then, stop back again soon. I'll post your projects here!!! Together we can create a fantastic Rube Goldberg site!
Send your ideas to: 
mail!
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