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The Rube Goldberg Three-Minute Timer: A Design Based Learning Tool For Engineering Freshman

Hazel M. Pierson, Daniel H. Suchora

Youngstown State University Youngstown, OH 44555

Introduction

Rube Goldberg: a man whose name has become synonymous with using convoluted, complicated machines to perform simple tasks. Engineer: among other things, one who designs machines and systems to make difficult, complicated tasks simple. Although the goal of Rube Goldberg’s machines and the goal of the engineer’s machines may seem quite at odds, the two fit quite well together as a design project in an introduction to engineering class. In fact, freshman engineering students at Youngstown State University are given their first exposure to the design process via a four-week Rube Goldberg project. The project requires the students to design a machine, Rube Goldberg style, which will time three minutes as close as possible without going over. The original intent of this Rube Goldberg machine was to time the hard-boiling of an egg.

The idea of design in freshman engineering classes certainly is not new. For that matter the use of Rube Goldberg type designs in engineering education is not either. However, in this project, for the entire four weeks, the project was used as a springboard for the lecture topics. This allowed for all aspects of the design process to be addressed, from the first brainstorming session to a prototype machine to the final technical design report. Through the process, the students discover first hand how the application of math and science principals fits into engineering design as well as how to systematically complete a design at a level fitting of an engineer. The project, as will be explained in detail, culminates with two main components: the actual building and timing of the machine and the final design report.

Course Information

This project is part of a first semester freshman engineering course at Youngstown State University. The three semester hour course is comprised of two lecture hours and three laboratory hours per week. The project is presented, explained, and discussed in the lecture setting. However, questions that arise because of the project are addressed in the laboratory or the lecture. Prior to the project, the students have received instruction and completed exercises on web searches, web page construction, and word processing with equation editor. Concurrent with the project, students receive instruction on MS EXCEL in the lab. The completed project draws from the skills taught in both the lecture and the lab setting. In addition to this course, the typical student is taking pre-calculus or calculus I along with other first year basic courses. However, the large majority of students have not yet taken college physics.

Proceedings of the 2002 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition Copyright Ó 2002, American Society for Engineering Education

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Pierson, H., & Suchora, D. (2002, June), The Rube Goldberg Three Minute Timer: A Design Based Learning Tool For Engineering Freshman Paper presented at 2002 Annual Conference, Montreal, Canada. 10.18260/1-2--10422