Launch the media gallery 1 player2010 Rube Goldberg Machine Contest
February 19, 2010
The Northwood-Kensett Math Club participated in the Minnesota State University “Rube Goldberg Machine Contest” Friday, February 12, 2010, in Mankato, MN. The machine had to be built within a 6 x 6 x 6 foot cube space, and needed to complete a minimum of 20 steps before dispensing an appropriate amount of hand sanitizer into a hand.
Students on the core team: Jacob McGrane, team leader, Ryan Beenken, Lizze Braun, Tim Davis, Darin Duryee, Dalton Kortsch, James Medlang, and Deseria Wilcox. Also attending as help and support: Zane Bauers, Christian Burnes, Jacob Gordon, Paul Schindler, and Tyson Werner.
After the welcome and overview of the contest given by the Department Chair of Mechanical & Civil Engineering, there was an interesting presentation about MSU Steele Bridge & Concrete Canoe Competitions presented by college students. There were over 200 students with 31 Rube Machines participating and only five make it to the finals.
After the rough bus ride there, the NKHS 23-step Rube was reassembled. It worked perfectly once during practice, but got hung-up in one place at judging time. Points were awarded for number of steps, functionality, theme, team spirit and unity, and use of ordinary items in extraordinary ways. We did not make it to the finals. Team members are already working on preparing the “best Rube ever” for next year’s competition!
Launch the media gallery 2 playerThe video is available on YouTube by clicking here.
