STEM EXPO

Science Technology Engineering Math

Student Name _____________________
Please indicate 2-3 ideas you have for a STEM expo project and the
categories (Rube Goldberg, Invention, Environmental Innovation, Reverse

Engineering, Robotics Engineering, or Scientific Inquiry). Option 1 should
be your top choice. If you are requesting to work with a partner please
indicate which option and the person you would like to work with, keep in
mind partner projects will require twice as much work. Discuss ahead of
time with your partner and be sure you both list it on your worksheets.
Return the first two pages to me by Friday 10/25. *If you did a Rube
Goldberg or Reverse Engineering Project last year, you will not
be able to do it again this year.*

Project
Option Description/Idea
Category

1
 3

Parent Signature/Approval __________________

Choosing a STEM Expo Project

Choose a topic you are interested in. You can

use books, online resources or objects in your own home to create your idea.
Ask yourself the following questions before making your final decision.

Option 1 Option Option 3

2
Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No
Time: Can you complete the project in
the time allotted between now
and the STEM Expo?

Materials: Can you obtain the materials

that will be required? Will the
cost be too much?
Safety: Are the tools and materials safe
for you to use? Will an adult be
available to help you?
Appropriateness: Is the project something you
can understand? Is your project
school and grade-level
appropriate?
Human Care: If you are using people in your
*animals will not project, will they be treated
be allowed to be respectfully and safely? (A
used waiver will be needed to use
people in your study)
Parent Approval Do you have a parents
approval to complete the project
after explaining the topic, time,
materials needed, and safety
concerns.

2
 Rube Goldberg
Definition: A Rube Goldberg is an overdone machine that performs a very
simple task in a very complex way, usually including a chain reaction. The
expression is named after American cartoonist and inventor Rube
Goldberg (1883-1970).

Requirements:
A successful Rube Goldberg entry must have the following:

A minimum of 10 'cause and effect steps

Inclusion of three simple machines

Must maintain a project notebook to record your ideas, progression and modifications made
to your initial project design.

Additional grading will be based on the following:

Device has a clearly identified task: If you would like to submit it to this years online rube
Goldberg challenge then your project must Zip a Zipper.
Initialization of sequence is simple and straightforward
Steps clearly labeled in sequence
Simple machines identified correctly
Device runs fully to completion with little or no outside intervention
Complexity of device

Engineering Design Process steps to be put in lab notebook:

1. EXPLORE: List and definition of six simple machines: lever, pulley, wheel and axel, inclined
plane, wedge, screw. Research examples of Rube Goldberg projects.
2. DESIGN: Brainstorm and list ideas youd like to include in your project. Come up with
multiple designs. Pick one and make a plan for constructing. Make a drawing or a model.

3
 3. CREATE: List detailing each step of machine, including an illustration of each individual
step. Include pictures of your progress as you build. Note any changes you make to the
initial design and why you made them.
4. TRY IT OUT: What worked and didnt work. What changes do you need to make to allow it
to run better.
5. MAKE IT BETTER: Think about how your design could be improved and make some of the
changes. Also reflect on what you would do differently if you were to redo the project.

Display:

1. Construction of Rube Goldberg machine. You may provide a video of your working machine.

2. Tri-fold board:
Definition of a Rube Goldberg Picture of Rube Goldberg List of steps
machine machine with each simple Problems you had and how
Definition of six simple machine labeled you overcame them when
machines building and designing.
Simple task being done
Useful website: http://mousetrapcontraptions.com/cool-machines-3.html

Invention
Definition: The Invention Category is intended to provide a
general area for an innovative solution to a problem, or a
new single item invention.

Requirements:
A successful Invention must have the following:

Labeled illustration showing a minimum of two viewpoints of proposed invention

A mock-up or prototype construction

Must maintain a project notebook to record your ideas, progression and modifications made
to your initial project design

Additional grading and judging will be based on the following:

The invention uses unique or innovative methodologies in solving the problem or need

Target audience or users of the invention are identified and have a valid need for the
invention

Prototype is well designed and constructed

4
 The invention is practical in terms of size - cost - materials - etc, for the problem being
solved.

The invention offers functionality that solves the problem efficiently

Marketing sign to convince people to buy your invention.

Process and information to be put in lab notebook:

1. EXPLORE: Are there similar products in existence? What are they? What is the benefit of the
invention? Who is the ideal user?

2. DESIGN: Think up lots of ideas to benefit the user that are different from current products.
Pick one and make a plan. Make a drawing or model.

3. CREATE: Record the materials used and the method for building your product or model.
Record visually and written any changes made when building the prototype from the original
design and why you made them.

4. TRY IT OUT: Test if your product works, perform a test comparing it to a similar product (if
one exists), how to use the product, how much did it cost to make, how much would you sell
it for, marketing ads, etc.

5. MAKE IT BETTER: Think about how your design could be improved. If you have time make
the changes to improve your design. If not, then reflect how you could change your design,
why you would change it, and visually explain the change.

Display:

1. Construction of invention.

2. Tri-fold board:
Background Diagram of Invention with Usage steps
Benefit of invention & users labels Marketing
Initial Design

5
Environmental Innovation
Definition: The Environmental Innovation category is intended to provide a means of
sharing environmentally innovative ideas. These ideas may be new products,
procedures, inventions, promotional projects, community events, etc.
Requirements:
A successful Environmental Innovation entry must have the following:

A proposal for a project and/or a product that demonstrates ways to minimize environmental
impact and protect ecosystems and biodiversity.

Proposal development should address such issues as ecological restoration, green building,
product stewardship, pollution prevention, and eco-efficiency.

Must prepare a plan for implementation, to include a timeline, budget and partnerships.

May be combined with Invention category

Must maintain a binder that includes your ideas, thoughts, background research, statement on
how your innovation will impact ecosystems or biodiversity, proposal drafts, timeline, plan for
implementation, budget, and partnerships.

Additional grading and judging will be based on the following:

Ecosystem/biodiversity threat or problem is accurately described

The solution accurately identifies a way or ways to minimize impact and counter the threat or
problem

Plan includes a budget and defines partnerships required to accomplish the plan's goals

Benefits to the environment are well discussed

Plan addresses environmental concerns that pertain to the innovation(e.g. ecological

restoration, green building, product stewardship, pollution prevention, eco-efficiency)

Proposal steps clearly written, organized and easy to read

Visual aids used for better understanding of proposal

Tradeoffs between economics, efficiency and sustainability are considered

Research notes and sources are provided and comprehensive

Process and information to be put in lab notebook:

6
1. EXPLORE: Background research. What are environmental concerns that affect ecosystems and
biodiversity? What is currently being done to address this environmental concern? What is
flawed with the current method?
2. BRAINSTORM: Think up lots of ideas of how this environmental concern could be addressed.
List the pros and cons of each. Keep in mind that your overall plan will need to include a plan for
implementation, a timeline, budget, and partnerships required to accomplish the plan.
3. DEVELOP: You can build a prototype of your project if applicable. Pick one of your ideas and
begin to expand it by fully developing your plan including all the components listed above.
4. REFLECT: Predict how well your product or plan would work. What would be some problems
that would need to be overcome? Think about the time needed to implement, cost, would the
government/school/town/country need to agree and support.

Display: Project Notebook and Tri-fold board:

Environmental problem Proposal
Background Display timeline, budget,
Initial ideas for the proposal partnerships, etc. Include
pictures of the environmental
problem.
Plan Implementation Steps
How well it addresses the
environmental concern.
Potential problems.

7
Engineering (Reverse)
Definition: Reverse engineering is the process of discovering the technological principles of
a device, object, or system through analysis of its structure, function, and operation. It often
involves taking something (e.g., a mechanical device or electronic component) apart and
analyzing its workings in detail to be used in maintenance.

Requirements:
A successful Reverse Engineering entry must have the following:

Locate and acquire two similar mechanical products (for example toasters)

Disassemble one product, then mount and label all components

Description paper explaining operation and functionality of all components - can include
illustrations and/or images

Must maintain a project notebook that includes your background research, knowledge and
explanation of each component and system, and pictures. Also include drafts and graphic
organizers for the final description paper.
Additional grading and judging will be based on the following:

Product is mechanical or electrical in nature, contains several major components, made from a
variety of materials

Product has properly been disassembled to represent all components and all have been labeled
Parts are described adequately and descriptions are accurate
Function of each part is identified and correct
Component parts are located to assembled unit correctly
Components are identified into sub-assembly groups by purpose (or location)
Layout of parts vs. assembled unit is clear and promotes understanding of location and purpose
Each sub-assembly (by purpose or location) is described and defined
Each component is described adequately, material of composition is identified, and its function
is explained
Shows that the student grasps the purpose of the components and sub-assemblies, and how they
work together.
The product is a real world item whos operation is not generally well understood
Assembly/Disassembly methodology is presented and documented

Process and information to be put in lab notebook:

1. EXPLORE: What is the purpose and function of the product. What types of components do you
expect the device to have based on its function(s)? This project will need a lot of research as you
disassemble your device and determine the function of each component.

8
2. DISASSEMBLY: Come up with a plan for how to disassemble and take pictures of each phase. Be
sure to keep each sub-component and its parts together and labeled. Include pictures and
description of each sub-component within your device and its purpose/function.
3. INVESTIGATE: Systematically record each part and its purpose in the sub system and overall
function of the device. Spend time figuring out the names of parts and how they are able to work
together.
4. DISPLAY: In an organized fashion, attach the device parts to a board keeping the subsystems
organized together and label the parts. Include the function of each subsystem and function of
key parts.
5. CONCLUSION: Think about how important each part, subsystem, and component is to enabling
the device to run. Were there any parts that arent needed? Can you think of a way to improve
the device to be more efficient, cheaper, or work better? Write a paper summarizing how each
subsystem worked by describing the how the components work. Also write how the overall
device works with the subsystems working together.

Display:

1. Neatly displayed disassembled device (this may be on your Tri-Fold Board or a separate flat
board)
2. Device that is still intact
3. Project Notebook
4. Tri-fold board:
Background Display of parts within Description and function of
Purpose of device each sub system labeled. key components within the
Sub systems and their sub system
functions How the sub systems work
together to enable the
device to work.

9
Engineering (Robotics)
Definition: A robot is a mechanical or virtual intelligent agent that can
perform tasks automatically or with guidance, typically by remote
control. Robots can be autonomous, semi-autonomous or remotely controlled.

The participant in the robotics category must design a robot that accomplishes a specific purpose.
Robotics teaches practical engineering, technology, and math concepts.
Requirements:
A successful Robotics entry must have the following:
Description paper explaining operation and functionality of all components - can include
illustrations and/or images
Mock-up of key components and fully functional robot

If programming is completed for robot, a printout of the program included in display and
notebook.

Must maintain a project notebook that includes your thoughts, ideas, background research,
engineering design process phases, modifications made to your design and their
purpose/reason, and your final description paper explaining operation and functionality of
all components. If your project includes programming then include initial programs and
changes made over time.

Additional grading and judging will be based on the following:

Purpose of robot logical and explainable

If mobile, steering system is accurate, consistent, and controllable

Sensors are used appropriately / Sensors guarantee certain actions in every trial

Design allows for variables (power, environment, etc.)

Software Programs (if applicable) do what is needed, with allowance for variables

Software Programs (if applicable) are documented, explained, and understood

Safety considerations are in place

Description that describes purpose of robot as a whole

Description that describes operation of individual components

Each component/sub-system is described, with no needed components missing

10
 Illustrations/Images appropriate and understandable (and labeled correctly)

The system presented is innovative and creative

The robot shows completeness of thought and cause and effect are clearly explained

The robot relates to real world applications

The methodology/materials/design are innovative or creative in approach

Degree of complexity

Process and information to be put in lab notebook:

1. EXPLORE: Background Research addressing the current use of robots in our society. What are
the benefits and tradeoffs of using robots to complete tasks? What type of materials are used to
build them? How are they programmed?
2. DESIGN: Think up lots of ideas of what you would want to design a robot to do, that is unique
and beneficial. Record these ideas and use mock up drawings of what the design would look like.
3. CREATE: Pick one of your ideas to create. Record the materials used and the method for
building your robot. Record any changes when building the prototype from the original design
and why you made them. If you program your robot include the initial program (print out) and
later versions as you develop your robot.
4. TRY IT OUT: Test your robot to see how it performs. Does it do what you planned? If not then
why?
5. MAKE IT BETTER: Make adjustments to your robot and or program. Record these changes in
your notebook. Think about how your design could be further improved. How would you adjust
your design if you had access to any materials? About how much would your robot cost to use
and run? How does it benefit the user?

Display:

1. Construction of robot.
2. Project Notebook
3. Tri-fold board:
Background Diagram of Robot with How you improved your
Purpose of Robot labels robot.
Initial Design Images of Robot working. If programmed then an
explanation of the program
and how it works.

11
Scientific Inquiry
Definition: Scientific Inquiry requires students to use
higher order thinking skills as they learn science using
a hands-on minds-on approach.
The Scientific Inquiry category is the basic experimentation category and covers
Scientific Methodology, Research, Hypothesis, Experiment Design, Data Collection and Analysis.

Requirements:
A successful Scientific Inquiry entry must have the following:

Scientific method must be utilized

Ask a testable question

Research the topic

Make a hypothesis about the outcome based on the research or their own knowledge

Design the investigation

12
 Conduct the investigation

Collect Data

Make sense of the data and draw a conclusion

All the above information must be recorded in a laboratory notebook as you complete each
component.
Additional grading and judging is based on the following:

The scientific method shows completeness of thought and cause and effect are clearly
explained
The inquiry relates to broader scientific principles, real world applications
The idea for investigation is original or innovative
The procedure, materials, trial length, etc. are innovative or creative in approach

Lab notebook setup:

1. Question
2. Research
3. Hypothesis
4. Materials
5. Procedure
6. Data Collection
7. Conclusion
8. Think about how your project could be improved.
Display:

1. Project Notebook
2. Tri-fold board:

Question Data with visuals, Procedure

Research tables/graphs Conclusion
Hypothesis

13