What is a Contraption?
A Contraption, also known as Rube Goldberg machine, is a setup that is deliberately engineered to accomplish a very simple task in the most complicated and absurd way possible through a series of steps. The more — and the more ridiculous — the steps, the better. The machines are named after the American cartoonist/engineer/inventor Rube Goldberg.
Are students from only formal schools eligible to enter into the competition?
No. Apart from formal schools, we also encourage participation from homeschooling groups, robotics and science clubs and community groups. The only constraint is that the team members should fit in the specified age bracket.
Is there a Registration Fee?
There is NO Registration Fee for this contest.
What is a step?
It is considered a step when energy is transferred between two different actions. For example, when a wind-up car with a pin on the front of it collides with and pops a balloon, that is a step. On the other hand, say you line up 100 dominoes and push the first one, making the rest of them fall over, and that eventually knocks into a ball that’s sent rolling along the floor. This would not be 101 steps, because there are only two different actions (100 dominoes falling and the dominoes knocking into a ball that rolls).
What is a Task?
Task is the simple action that has to be accomplished by your machine at the end. The task for each division is as follows -
| DIVISION |
TASK |
| Kanchenjunga (Junior) |
Untie a bow |
| Mount Everest (Senior) |
Open page number 39 in the Oxford english dictionary |
What’s next after we build our machine?
After you have successfully registered, you will get the link to upload all the information necessary for the Preliminary round. Once your team has designed and built the machine according to the rules specified in the rulebook, you will have to upload the required information (photos, videos and the drawing of the machine) on the given link. The documents that you will need to upload are:
- List of steps in your machine (3 pages maximum)
- Close-ups photos of all the steps in your machine.
- Team’s favorite step: A close-up video of the team's’ favorite step sequence.
- Machine introduction and walk-through: A video explanation of the machine and step walk-through (3 minutes maximum).
- Machine run video: Two videos of the entire machine running (2 minutes maximum each)
- Minimum steps specified for each division should be accomplished. Task completion is not mandatory but will certainly fetch extra points as per scoring norms.
NOTE: The video must be a single continuous view with the machine in view at all times and no video editing or breaks. Any evidence of editing will result in disqualification.
- Diagram that shows the dimensions of your machine.
- Energy Transfers:A document providing the details of energy transfers that are happening in your machine (only for Mount Everest Division).
Once all the above mentioned documents have been submitted, the judges will evaluate the machine based on the scoring rubrics (refer to the first four parameters in the Scoring section). Teams that are shortlisted to run their machines in the Final Round will be informed of their status.
What happens if our machine gets stuck? Can someone on the team intervene?
Yes. This happens more often than not. Let’s say that the wind-up car with the pin at its front goes off course and does not pop the balloon. Someone on your team can step in and pop the balloon. But — and this is big — your team will lose points each time this happens.
What if we haven’t finished our machine in time for the Preliminary Round?
The completion of the machine is not mandatory to qualify for the final round. Your video should include the minimum number of steps specified in the rulebook to be fully functional.
Can adults build the machine too?
We encourage you to have adult assistance throughout the process, but having an adult do all the work for you is unfair to other teams. And we’re pretty sure that your mom/dad or your teacher wouldn’t do this for you anyway, because they know the value of hard work. You will need a parent or teacher advisor with you at the competition, but they are not allowed to be involved in the oral presentation or the running or resetting of the machine.
Why do we have to do an oral presentation?
The best machines tell a story, and an oral presentation is part of the storytelling process. You should definitely find the loudest, funniest kid to deliver the oral presentation. You’ll be judged on it. In the oral presentation, you will also explain to the judges the steps and energy transfers in each step of your machine.
Can electronic devices like (remote control, sensors or cell phone) be used in the machine?
Electronic devices can certainly be used in the machine, but there are a few rules. The electronic devices that are the part of the machine cannot be triggered by human intervention once the machine starts its run. For example, an electronic device in a machine cannot be triggered by a teammate pressing a button on a remote control, but if a ball rolls down a track and presses a button on a remote control that then triggers another device, that’s perfectly legitimate.
Are fire and explosions are allowed?
Explosions and fire are a strict NO. But, a trivial and funny explosion like the baking soda and vinegar or a Mentos and Coke trick is always a big crowd pleaser. Just be prepared to clean up after yourselves.
How many teams can enter from the same school or organization?
We don’t have a limit on the number of teams coming from the same school, so a school could enter multiple teams,and each team entering would have pay the registration fee separately.
How are we supposed to get the machine to the contest?
Many teams elect to build larger machines in smaller pieces that then fit together easily at the venue. All the teams are given time to assemble their machine at the venue. Transportation arrangement will have to be made by the teams.
Will you provide a table for our machine?
No, you will need to bring whatever table, platform, etc. that you need to display your machine. Only electrical power points and connections will be provided the organisers for running the machine.
Must we run our machine continuously at the contest?
Not necessarily. But, we want as many people as possible to see your machine! We expect a large number of spectators. There are going to be a lot of people there excited to see what you’ve created.
Are there prizes?
You bet! Really cool and amazing prizes will be given to the top three teams in each category!
How can we reach you?
You can contact us with your queries at events@prayoga.org.in
