Union's Rube Goldberg Contest Frequently Asked Questions

If you have a question about the contest which you would like answered, fill out the the following form and click on SUBMIT at the bottom. Responses to your questions will be posted on the "previously submitted Q and A" page and the responses will be returned to all the team advisors. Please check the Previously Submitted Q's & A's for 2010 before submitting your question.
Team Name:
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Q1: Will the location of the contest be handicap accessible?
A1: The location of the contest this year will be the Union College Field House that is handicap accessible.

Q2:What is the definition of a Goldberg Machine?
A2: Please read the BACKGROUND section of the web site to get a sense of who Rube Goldberg was and what made his cartoons so popular. A Rube Goldberg device is one that captures the spirit of Rube Goldberg's ability to take a simple task and make it complex.

Q3: What age groups are being asked to participate?
A3: This competition is targeted at Middle and High School students.

Q4: Do you have to live in a certain area to enter the contest?
A4: No.

Q5: Is each school limited to one team?
A5: Schools are allowed to have more than one team enter the competition. We would prefer that the number of entries from any one school not to exceed 2 or 3.

Q6: Are there divisions for middle school students to compete in? If not can they still compete in regular contest?
A6: In the previous competitions we have not separated the middle school and high school students into separate divisions. Middle schools have won the competition in the past. We may consider having a middle school and a high school division if the number of schools grows to the point were dividing the competition up would be more efficient.

Q7: How detailed should the step-by-step description be? Does it need to include illustrations and detailed drawings? Does the description hold any weight in the final score? How do we submit it?
A7: The step-by-step descriptions do not have to include detailed drawings, but drawings can be included. The step-by-step description does not directly enter into the final scoring. It may be sent as hardcopy along with the required Release Form or via email to Prof. Jim Hedrick at hedrickj@union.edu.

Q8: When do we get the 100 dollar check?
A8: The $100 stipend per team is distributed to the team's school district or organization after the completed and signed Release Form (see the Rules page) and the step-by-step description of the device is submitted and accepted. Advisors should make arrangements for expenditures and reimbursement with the district or organization. Check the SCHEDULE page for dates.

Q9: Does the theme affect the aesthetics of the machine or the function?
A9: The theme can be part of the aesthetics and/or function of the machine. The more the theme is integrated into the machine the more creativity points the machine will be awarded. Please consult the judging form to understand how your team is able to accumulate points during the competition.

Q10: How much assembly time is allowed?
A10: The competition schedule allows for one hour for the initial assembly time. After this time the machines are not allowed to be altered until the judges are prepared to evaluate it.

Q11: What is the criteria for, or definition of, a "step"?
A11: A step is a linear process, not a parallel process. If a plane moves up a wire and triggers a switch, that would be an example of one complete step. If the plane causes two things to happen, that would be a parallel result and would only count as one complete step.

Q12: If you have a series of dominos does each domino hitting the next one count as an individual step? (If you had 6 dominos each hitting another one, would you then have 6 steps?)
A12: This would be considered a single step since the process is the dominos hitting each other.

Q14: As one of the contest rules states, "No combustible fluids, explosives, open flames, or hazardous materials." This is a fine rule, but would a miniature potato gun be permissible? There would be no open flames, and the projectile would at all times be encased in a plexy glass enclosure, so as to prevent the projectile from go astray.
A14: This would be fine as long as no combustible fluids or hazardous materials are used to propel the potato. Also, you must be sure that all of projectiles are completely contained.

Q15: Can we use household bleach in our project?
A15: The acceptability of using household bleach in your project will depend on how the bleach will be used. Since bleach can react violently with some substances, care must be taken when it is used.