PSPE Chain Reaction Team

Task To replace an incandescent light bulb with a more energy efficient light emitting design.

Theme Blackout Vegas

Step Count 101

Result Won 3rd place at the Regional Competition.

Discussion After multiple presentations to local schools, the machine was disassembled and the base is currently being re-used for the 2009-2010 machine.

More

Task To assemble a hamburger consisting of no less than one precooked meat patty, two vegetables and two condiments, sandwiched between two bun halves.

Theme Around the World in 156 Steps

Step Count 156

Result Won 1st place at the Regional Competition. Won the People’s Choice Award at the Regional competition. Won 1st place at the National Competition.

Discussion This machine is still intact and currently resides at the Bluffton High School in Bluffton, IN.

More

Task Take a whole orange, juice it, and pour the juice from a pitcher into a cup.

Theme The Orange Is Not Enough

Step Count 155

Result Won 1st place at the Regional competition. Won the People’s Choice Award at the Regional competition. Won 2nd place at the National competition.

Discussion This machine is now on display at The Orchard School in Indianapolis. It is being utilized for part of a science curriculum to 5th graders.

More

Task To cut or shred into strips five sheets of 8½ by 11 paper and place the shredded paper in a recycle bin.

Theme The Rube Machine Ate My Homework

Step Count 215

Result Won 1st place at the Regional and National competition. Won the People’s Choice Award at the Regional and National competition.

Discussion Our second consecutive appearance on ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live!.

More

Task To remove and replace two batteries in a flashlight, then turn it on.

Theme Blackout on Planet Rube

Step Count 125

Result Won 1st place at the Regional competition. Won the People’s Choice Award at the Regional competition. Won 1st place at the National competition. Won the People’s Choice Award at the National competition.

Discussion Our first appearance on ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live!.

More

Task To select, mark, and cast an election ballot.

Theme Rube's County Fair

Step Count 60

Result Won 2nd place at the Regional competition. Won the People’s Choice Award at the Regional competition.

Discussion This machine was place on display at the Indiana 2010 exhibit at the 2004 State Fair. This machine was also on display at the Muncie Children's museum from Fall of 2004 to Fall 2005.

More

Task To crush an empty 12-oz. aluminum soft drink can and move it into a recycling bin.

Theme Rube Goldberg's Diner

Step Count 50-60 (the real number was lost)

Result Did not place at Regional Competition

Discussion We managed to soak a judge in water! It was all good though, it made them laugh!

More

Task To secure, raise, and wave a national flag.

Theme Mission to Mars

Step Count 50

Result Won 1st place at the Regional competition. Won 2nd place at National competition. Won People’s Choice Award at National competition.
Discussion

More

Task To clean and peel an apple

Theme Super Rube-Mart

Step Count 33

Result Won 2nd place at the Regionals Competition
Discussion

More

Task To fill and seal a clear glass jar (think of it as a simulated time capsule) with models or samples of significant inventions of the 20th century.

Theme Mad Scientist's Kitchen

Result Won 2nd place at the Regionals Competition
Discussion

More

Task To place a regulation-sized golf ball on a tee.

Theme Dorm Room

Result Did not place at Regional competition.

Discussion This was the teams first machine, made mostly out of cardboard and duct tape.

More