PICK YOUR SCIENCE PROJECT
Information HANDOUT – GRADE 8
Mechanical Systems
Choice 1 – GROUP of 3
Project Ideas
Choice 2 - ALONE
Vehicle
Imaginary Device
To Design and Construct a
working model (prototype) of a
Rube Goldberg Mousetrap
that will catch an (imaginary)
mouse
The purpose of this project is
to reinforce the concepts of
mechanical advantage,
speed ratio and efficiency
in a mechanical device.
Rube Goldberg Machine
Rube Goldberg was an artist who designed devices that
were useless. His devices were complicated impractical
contraptions that performed a common everyday task.
Prototype must be your own design.
Testing. You must have at least 5 different actions
performed by different simple machines that will end up by
catching a mouse in your mousetrap. (This mousetrap does
not have to be spring loaded and the mouse you catch should
be a plush mouse toy, NOT a real live mouse.)
Project Report should include:

Design (Cartoon sketch)

Step-by-step action sequence

Construction Details

Troubleshooting
Mousetrap Racer
Your mousetrap powered vehicle can be really fast, or can go a
very long distance. You need to decide what function your
design will achieve
Materials: Race Vehicle powered by a single mousetrap. The
materials you use are up to you, but the only power source your
vehicle can have is a single standard spring-loaded mousetrap.
Mousetrap Vehicle Guidelines:

Complete a poster (11x17), which outlines the details of
your design and highlights the use of the simple machines
and scientific principles your vehicle makes use of.

Earn points for speed and distance.

Become the record holder for this school.
Project Report Required
Project Report Required
Choice 3 – ALONE or w/ Partner
Mousetrap Vehicle Guidelines
Mechanical Device
With the power of a single,
spring-loaded mousetrap,
how far can you hurl a hacky
sack?
Criteria
Description …
Design
Complete a poster (11x17),
which outlines the details of your
design and highlights the use of
the simple machines and
scientific principles your vehicle
makes use of.
10
Scientific
Principles
What scientific principles (key
concepts) that you have learned
in the Unit are applied to the
vehicle you have created.
10
Model
Race Vehicle powered only by a
single mousetrap. The materials
you use are up to you, but the
only power source your vehicle
can have is a single standard –
spring loaded mousetrap.
10
Challenge
Earn points for speed and
distance. Become the record
holder for this school.
20
Mousetrap Catapult
Design and build a working model of a Mousetrap Catapult
that compliments the following Units:
 Structures and Forces (Grade 7)
 Mechanical Systems (Grade 8)
Materials: Catapult powered by a single mousetrap. The
materials you use are up to you, but the only power source
your catapult can have is a single standard spring-loaded
mousetrap.
Mousetrap Catapult Guidelines:

Complete a poster (11x17), which outlines the details of
your design and highlights the use of the simple
machines and scientific principles your device makes
use of.

Earn points for distance.

Become the record holder for this school.
Project Report Required
Mark
Total
50
ASSESSMENT (CHECK SCIENCE PROJECT RUBRIC FOR DETAILED OUTLINE OF ASSESSMENT)
Self Evaluation
Peer Evaluation
Teacher Analysis (RUBRIC)
Report
Presentation
10%
10%
40%
20%
20%
PICK YOUR SCIENCE PROJECT
Information HANDOUT – GRADE 8
Mechanical Systems - Project Ideas
Choice 4 – ALONE
Handmade / Homemade Toys
In by gone days children couldn’t buy toys because they were too expensive. So they learn to build
their own toys out of materials that are readily available at home. These handmade/homemade
toys can ultimately introduce you to concepts dealing with mechanics and physical science
principles.
The purpose of this project choice is to Introduce you to the idea of making something simple and
useful for a specific purpose – HAVING FUN.
Examples …
THE TRACTOR
THE CABLE CAR
THE TELEPHONE
Using an empty thread spool make a
simple machine (a tractor) that can
provide endless hours of enjoyment
The design of this toy can also help in
understanding the mousetrap-powered
car and other mousetrap devices.
Using 2 empty tin cans and a length of
wire, make your corded phone to
communicate great distances
Build each example, demonstrate how each works and explain the science principles enabling it to work.
Project Report Required ( ORAL or WRITTEN )
Choice 5 – ALONE
SIMPLY AMAZING SIMPLE MACHINES
The purpose of this project is to reinforce the concepts
of simple machines performing simple tasks, by
creating a KIT that includes the six different types of
simple machines.
The Amazing Simple Machine KIT
CONTENTS:
Six simple machine prototypes, including:

Lever (3 classes)

Inclined plane

Wedge

Pulley

Screw

Wheel and Axle
Provide 3 activities on 3 different index cards (3x5 or 5x7) for each simple machine that helps to explain their function and action.
Materials: The simple machines should be handmade. Use of materials is limited to what is readily available to you at home or in the
classroom. (no premade simple machines will be accepted)
Kit Guidelines:

Kit should be no larger than a shoebox and should have all six simple machines Activity cards included.

Completed Kit with explanation of how to use each simple machine will represent the Report
Project Report Required ( ORAL or WRITTEN )
ASSESSMENT (CHECK SCIENCE PROJECT RUBRIC FOR DETAILED OUTLINE OF ASSESSMENT)
Self Evaluation
10%
Peer Evaluation
10%
Teacher Analysis (RUBRIC)
40%
Report
20%
Presentation
20%