A Research Institute of the University of Central Florida Energy Transfer Machine Competition Make it as complex as possible! March 7, 2015

FLORIDA SOLAR ENERGY CENTER — A Research Institute of the University of Central Florida (1883 – 1970) Engineer, Inventor, Cartoonist Rube Goldberg

FLORIDA SOLAR ENERGY CENTER — A Research Institute of the University of Central Florida Rube Goldberg designs are meant to show the unnecessary complexities in machines

FLORIDA SOLAR ENERGY CENTER — A Research Institute of the University of Central Florida Webster’s definition of ‘Rube Goldberg’ A comically involved, complicated invention, laboriously contrived to perform a simple operation

FLORIDA SOLAR ENERGY CENTER — A Research Institute of the University of Central Florida How does your class turn off a light? Insanity Kontraption

FLORIDA SOLAR ENERGY CENTER — A Research Institute of the University of Central Florida How to get started Select -- An end goal Size Theme Materials Gather ideas (Check out this and this)this Make a rough plan! Major components Secondary components Connectors

FLORIDA SOLAR ENERGY CENTER — A Research Institute of the University of Central Florida Major Components Use large or unusual objects

FLORIDA SOLAR ENERGY CENTER — A Research Institute of the University of Central Florida Major Components Make it showy!

FLORIDA SOLAR ENERGY CENTER — A Research Institute of the University of Central Florida Secondary Components Used between major components to make the machine longer

FLORIDA SOLAR ENERGY CENTER — A Research Institute of the University of Central Florida Secondary Components

FLORIDA SOLAR ENERGY CENTER — A Research Institute of the University of Central Florida Secondary Components And to show off your skill!

FLORIDA SOLAR ENERGY CENTER — A Research Institute of the University of Central Florida Secondary Components

FLORIDA SOLAR ENERGY CENTER — A Research Institute of the University of Central Florida Connectors Used between major and secondary components with things like dominoes, marble or popsicle stick ‘runs’

FLORIDA SOLAR ENERGY CENTER — A Research Institute of the University of Central Florida Connectors Marble slides or other ready to use toys are also connectors, not major components

FLORIDA SOLAR ENERGY CENTER — A Research Institute of the University of Central Florida Building and Testing Test each major and secondary component separately Modify until they work at least 90% of the time Link them together with connectors Test and modify Don’t get discouraged! Clean up your design Add thematic and artistic elements Add humor!

FLORIDA SOLAR ENERGY CENTER — A Research Institute of the University of Central Florida Energy Transfer Machine Rules The machine shall: Fit on a 6’ x 3’ table—the machine is not to exceed 5.5’ (width) x 2.5’ (depth) x 3.5’ (height) Have a minimum of 5 steps (hopefully many more!) Perform a team specified event at 2 minutes (or as close as you can get!) Use the electricity from (1) AA battery in a useful way

FLORIDA SOLAR ENERGY CENTER — A Research Institute of the University of Central Florida Energy Transfer Machine Rules The machine cannot: use any actual timing devices be attached to the walls, ceiling or floor be designed, assembled or fabricated by anyone other than team members have any loose or flying objects that leave the table have any other electrical production devices except one AA battery use animals, profanity, hazardous materials, flames, explosives, etc.

FLORIDA SOLAR ENERGY CENTER — A Research Institute of the University of Central Florida Winning Tips Psst…….here’s the secrets!

FLORIDA SOLAR ENERGY CENTER — A Research Institute of the University of Central Florida Make it transportable Major components in separate sections can make it easier to move and set up

FLORIDA SOLAR ENERGY CENTER — A Research Institute of the University of Central Florida A backboard can make it easy to add height – and set up!

FLORIDA SOLAR ENERGY CENTER — A Research Institute of the University of Central Florida Smaller is okay - and may work better for you

FLORIDA SOLAR ENERGY CENTER — A Research Institute of the University of Central Florida Have a set-up plan Assign jobs – Practice set up!

FLORIDA SOLAR ENERGY CENTER — A Research Institute of the University of Central Florida Make it interesting Too much of a ‘good’ thing

FLORIDA SOLAR ENERGY CENTER — A Research Institute of the University of Central Florida Which one intrigues you the most?

FLORIDA SOLAR ENERGY CENTER — A Research Institute of the University of Central Florida Make it go for 2 minutes Use a ‘slower’ transfer

FLORIDA SOLAR ENERGY CENTER — A Research Institute of the University of Central Florida

Use a theme Coke vs. Pepsi

FLORIDA SOLAR ENERGY CENTER — A Research Institute of the University of Central Florida Welcome to the Carnival

FLORIDA SOLAR ENERGY CENTER — A Research Institute of the University of Central Florida Terminus

FLORIDA SOLAR ENERGY CENTER — A Research Institute of the University of Central Florida 31 Flavors

FLORIDA SOLAR ENERGY CENTER — A Research Institute of the University of Central Florida Be creative and artistic Details count!

FLORIDA SOLAR ENERGY CENTER — A Research Institute of the University of Central Florida Explain it! Be prepared to explain your machine and the transfers to the judges

FLORIDA SOLAR ENERGY CENTER — A Research Institute of the University of Central Florida Now….. On your mark, get set, go! Example from 2015 Competition