STWing Rube Goldberg Competition

Rules

  1. Dates and Times
    1. The competition runs from Saturday, March 31, 2012, 2:00pm through Sunday, April 1, 2012, 2:00pm.
    2. The theme of the competition will be given out at 4:00pm sharp on Saturday, March 31, 2012. With that the competition starts.
    3. Teams have access to the 1938 Lounge, where the materials and tools provided are kept from 4:00pm till 11:00pm on Saturday, March 31, 2012 and from 9:00am till 2:00pm on Sunday, March 1, 2012.
    4. The construction time of the competition ends at 2:00pm on Sunday, March 1, 2012.
    5. The competition ends with a judging ceremony at 3:30pm on Sunday, March 1, 2012.
  2. Teams
    1. Teams should consist of 3 or 4 members.
    2. One team member is the designated team captain and is responsible for all communications between the team and the organizers of the competition.
    3. There is a $10.00 entry fee per person.
    4. Each competitor has to sign a liability waiver before the start of the competition.
  3. The Design
    1. To build their machines, each team will have access to tools and a set of materials provided for the competition.
    2. Each design is constrained to a 1m x 1m base. No part of the device is allowed to extend beyond this limit during operation. There is no height limit.
    3. The entire design cannot weigh more than 50kg.
    4. Teams whose machine involves hazardous materials, explosives, chemical reactions leading to high temperatures, fire, or live animals may be asked to revise their design.
  4. Judging and Prizes
    1. The designs will be judged by three SEAS professors. The judges' decisions are final.
    2. Designs will be judged based on creativity, effectiveness, and complexity.
    3. The three best designs overall will receive prizes.