RGMC – Rube Goldberg Machine Contest
A Rube Goldberg contest? What is that?
WHAT? Teams of 4 or more people invent and build Rube Goldberg Machines … 6′ cubes of space with as many “energy changes” as possible to do a simple task. The 2012 assignment? “Inflate A Balloon and Pop It!” via as wild and complex a route as you can devise.
WHY? For the fun … and to win! College undergraduates and graduate students, winning teams advance to the Nationals at Purdue University of the zaniest contest imaginable! Professional Contest competitors, you become the FIRST non-students to win!
COLLEGE and PROFESSIONAL OPTIONS!
Rube Goldberg Machine College Contest
Professional Machine Contest
WHO? COLLEGE: Undergraduate or graduate teams of at least 4 people; PROFESSIONAL: Any employees of participating companies, members of professional associations or trade unions, retirees, and other interested adults
HOW MUCH? College Team Registration will be $250 for the entire TEAM; we are waiving $50 of the national fee for everyone. This fee is paid directly to the national Rube Goldberg offices. Professional Team Registration will be $50 for this inaugural year, paid to the Ying TRSEF (see form).
Remember, teams pay the flat fee no matter how many are on the team, so encourage lots of people to join the team and share in the fun. You can even have 30 people toss in $10 each “for the good name of the school or company”!
WHERE?
Competition: Health, Physical Education and Recreation Building
Onondaga Community College
Syracuse, New York
Saturday, March 17, 2012 Schedule
9:00 a.m. Sign-in and set-up begins
Noon Meeting of Team Leaders
1:00-3:00 Rounds of judging (open to public and media)
3:00-5:00 Junior Rube Goldberg with the college teams advising and judging the science fair kids
5:00-6:00 Pizza party (contestants, judges and volunteers only)
Sunday, March 18, 2012
All RGMCC participants and judges invited to judge at the Ying TRSEF (science fair)
Morning: Ying TRSEF judge preview of exhibits and training
Afternoon: Judging
Late afternoon: Awards Ceremony for Rube Goldberg, Ying Scholar and Ying TRSEF competitions
Recruiters and Judges
We also need people to help recruit teams and serve as judges for this adventure. Simply email Contest Director Douglas Hemphill of SUNY Oswego to find out how you can offer this great opportunity to your campus or community!
REGISTRATION AND RESOURCES
2012 Rulebook for both contestsLink
COLLEGE Rube Goldberg website Link
COLLEGE Registration Form online Link
COLLEGE Flyer PDF
PROFESSIONAL Registration form DOC PDF
PROFESSIONAL Flyer PDF
Flyer for Ying TRSEF Science Fest (RGMC, Ying Scholar Finals and Science Fair) PDF
The Ultimate Machine – this Honda commercial is a treasure! Link
Housing:
RGMC teams may couch surf or take advantage of the Ying TRSEF’s RGMC hotel package. (Note: The Fair receives no part of the hotel fee.) Simply register at the Comfort Inn and Suites, 6701 Buckley Road, Syracuse, NY 13212. 315-457-4000 and mention “science fair.”