Rube-A-Thon

A team of 2 to 5 people is required for this challenge. Teamwork will be the cornerstone of your success, as you pool your skills and creativity to construct an extraordinary contraption.

General Rules:

• Time Limit: You have precisely 100 minutes to complete your contraption. Time management will be crucial to your success, so plan wisely!
• Provided Items: All necessary items for your contraption will be provided by us. You'll find an assortment of intriguing materials and components at your disposal. Your task is to transform these items into a mesmerizing contraption.
• Chain Reaction: The heart of this challenge is the chain reaction. Your contraption should be a seamless flow of events where each step triggers the next in a delightful and unexpected manner. Imagine it as a captivating domino effect, where every element plays a vital role in the grand scheme.
• Mobile Phones: You are allowed to use mobile phones during the challenge. Feel free to use them for research, communication, or to document your progress. Remember, they might come in handy for finding inspiration or solutions.
• Variety of Items: To make your contraption truly remarkable, you must incorporate at least three different varieties of items. This will test your ability to think creatively and adapt various elements into your design.
• No Borrowing: While creativity is encouraged, you must not use items from other teams. Each team has a unique set of materials, and the challenge is to create something extraordinary with what you have.

Judging Criteria:

• Time Span of the Machine (Points Awarded for Duration): The longer your contraption runs flawlessly, the more points you will receive. The duration of your machine's operation will be a key factor in determining your score. The longer it runs without interruption, the higher your score in this category.
• Types of Materials Used (Points for Diversity): Creativity in material selection is essential. Using a wide variety of materials, each with its unique properties and functions, will earn your team more points. Diversifying your materials shows resourcefulness and innovation.
• Quantity of Materials Used (Points for Resourcefulness): Making the most of the provided materials is a valuable skill. Using a substantial quantity of materials to create an intricate contraption demonstrates resourcefulness and attention to detail, earning your team more points in this category.
• Creativity (Points for Innovation): Creativity is at the heart of this challenge. You will be evaluated on the uniqueness and originality of your contraption's design and execution. The more innovative and unexpected your chain reaction, the higher your creativity score will be.