Official Rules
TekVenture Chain Reaction Challenge
Grade K through Adult
2011 Theme: To Infinity and Beyond
The Chain Reaction Challenge is inspired by a similar event from the Massachuetts Institute of Technology Museum in Cambridge, MA.
What is a Chain Reaction "Link" (or Machine, or Contraption), and how does it work?
The pulling of a string at the beginning of your link triggers a series of physical events. When these events are completed, your link will pull the string of the next link. After completing its series of events, this link will pull the string and trigger the next link, and so on, and so on. The resulting chain reaction continues until all the links have, in turn, been activated. Your link may have any number of physical events happen between the pulling of the string at its start and finish.
Chain Reaction Link Scenario
As an example, a string releases a wind-up toy that moves slowly along a small track. The toy eventually bumps into a golf ball that is perched at the top of a tube. The golf ball then moves down the tube hitting a small R2-D2 toy on the head which makes it emit a sound. The sound triggers a pitch sensor mounted on a programmable brick that drives a small robot vehicle backward. As the vehicle moves, it tugs on the string of the next Chain Reaction link.
The second Chain Reaction link begins with the pull of the string. This pulls up on a lever that flips a ball down a ramp. The ball then hits a wide tongue depressor that knocks over a series of dominoes. The dominoes hit a pendulum, releasing a series of marbles at the top, which run down a few ramps and fall into a cup. The combined weight of the marbles in the cup pulls the string of the next Chain Reaction link.
Some Guidelines
Chain Reaction links should represent a team effort.
All links will start and end with the pull of a string that has the energy to raise a golf ball one inch. Viewing will be limited to one side of the link. As you face your contraption, action should begin at the right and end at the left (see diagram). The triggering strings should begin and end as close to the middle of each end of the table as possible.
The theme of the 2011 TekVenture Chain Reaction Challenge is "To Infinity and Beyond". Teams are encouraged to think in terms of the theme. Be creative on your interpretation of the theme.
Each team must produce a presentation handout (drawing, written description or other form) for the judges and for display. The presentation should explain how their Chain Reaction link works. It should also describe the biggest problem overcome.
Six-foot links should maintain activity for at least one minute and no more than 3 minutes. Those which maintain interest and run closest to 2 minutes consistently are eligible to win "The Survivor Award".
Three-foot links should maintain activity for at least 30 seconds and no more than 90 seconds. Those which maintain interest and run closest to 60 seconds consistently are eligible to win "The Survivor Award".
Specific safety guidelines for this activity have not been developed. Hopefully common sense will rule. If there are specific questions about safety issues, please email questions to CRCtechquestions@TekVenture.org. For the time being, you can refer to the NSTA (National Science Teachers Association) minimum safety guidelines at http://www.nsta.org/main/pdfs/440.pdf. No open flames, dangerous chemicals, helium balloons, or more than 1 cup of water is allowed.
Chain Reaction links should be built to be somewhat transportable since they will have to be set-up at the Main Library in about one to two hour's time. Keep this in mind as you build. For easy transport, we recommend you build your link on a board that measures no larger than 32" x 74" for six-foot links, or 32" x 38" for three-foot links.
For the main Chain Reaction event there should be no more than two designated Chain Reaction mechanics (team members) present at each link to troubleshoot its operation.
AC outlets will not be available to operate these links. Any power should be supplied by other means.
Teams and links will be judged on artistic appeal, how each link is engineered, and by team presentations. Creativity Rules! Those that "Link" outside the box will be rewarded!
Your machine will run multiple times throughout the day for the judges and spectators. With this in mind please keep your reset time to a maximum of 30 minutes.
Download the Rules.
