HOSTing Responsibilities

Transcription

1 2016 MACHINE CONTEST PARTICIPANT MACHINE CONTEST HOSTing Responsibilities O P E N A N U M B R E LL A Rube Goldberg, Inc. Six Barry Lane Westport, CT Fax: rubegoldberg.com rube@rubegoldberg.com JUNE

2 MISSION RUBE GOLDBERG MACHINE CONTESTS (RGMCs) are designed to encourage teamwork and out-of-the-box problem solving for students of all ages. STEM and STEAM friendly, RGM s tackle the most mundane tasks and ask participants to create their own overly elaborate and hilariously conceived wacky contraptions that accomplish that task in honor of the competition s founding father. Rube Goldberg ( ) was a Pulitzer Prize winning cartoonist, best known for his nutty chain reaction inventions. The popularity of these cartoons made him a cultural touchstone, an adjective in Merriam-Webster s Dictionary, and a term that today is invoked daily in American media. (If you re not familiar with Rube Goldberg s work, go to the Gallery section of rubegoldberg.com) We encourage the use of every-day objects to create your Rube Goldberg Machine and to integrate as many recycled items as possible. Imagine the kinetic component of everything in the world around you and put it into motion in your Rube Goldberg Machine! Rube Goldberg, Inc is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit dedicated to promoting STEM & STEAM education for students of all ages. Registration fees and all contributions are tax deductible. Rube Goldberg Machine Contest, International Online Rube Goldberg Machine Contest - Ages TM, Rube Goldberg Machine TM and the Rube Goldberg Challenge are all trademarks of RGI. 2

3 Thank you for Hosting a Rube Goldberg Machine Contest. There is no fee to RGI to become a Host...but there are responsibilities in Hosting. Please download and become familiar with the 2016 Rule Book, available on our web site in July. The Host will have sole responsibility for organizing and running their competition. This year, all hosts will register their own contests on our web site. 1. Go to rubegoldberg.com 2. Click on CONTESTS 3. Click on Host a Contest 4. Create an account 5. Once your Host listing is approved, it will appear on our web site. (Once you set up an account, you can use that account to register as a Host and/or register a Team.) The key to a successful competition is communication. The Host Chairperson is responsible for updating their Host Page and communicating both with the Teams that register for their contest and with RGI. On the Host Page, the Host may: view all Team info - including Teacher/Advisor/Captain , phone number, etc. update any contest changes - venue or time changes, snow date, contest cancellation, etc. denote 1st, 2nd and 3rd place teams, once contest completes THE FOLLOWING 10 STEPS HIGHLIGHT HOST RESPONSIBILITIES 1. Choose a Competition Site Chairperson Each Host must have ONE site Chairperson. The Host Chairperson will: register their contest on our web site be the contact person for RGI and for any teams that have questions about your host site familiarize themselves with the 2016 Rule Book (download on our site) 3

4 2. Choose a Competition Site The site should be a large open room or area that accommodates teams, machines, judges, audience and refreshments. Suggested sites for competitions: gymnasiums, ballrooms, science or children s museums, convention halls, Armories, etc. Suggested Guidelines: Host will provide a table (approximately 27 high) or elevated palate for each team to accommodate the presentation of their machine. Seating Area: Based on the maximum attendees allowed by the facility. 3. Pick a Date for your Competition Regional competitions should be held before Finals for their Division. Division II Finals are April 23, Division III Finals are April 9, These dates are posted on the web site in Schedule/Deadlines Register as a Host with RGI Host registration opens July 1, 2015 This year, all hosts will register their own contests on our web site. 1. Go to rubegoldberg.com 2. Click on CONTESTS 3. Click on Host a Contest 4. Create an account 5. Once your Host listing is approved, it will appear on our web site. (Once you set up an account, you can use that account to register as a Host and/or register a Team.) TEAMS WILL NOT BE ABLE TO REGISTER FOR YOUR CONTEST UNTIL THIS INFORMATION IS POSTED ON OUR SITE. 5. Get the Word Out About Your Competition Publicity is the key to building a long term successful program. Once your Host registration is approved, you will get a Welcome that will include downloads for the following items: - The 2016 Rule Book - Official Contest Poster - The Rube Goldberg logo - Task Artwork They may be used in any form: print, on the web, on clothing, in banners, posters, etc. 4

5 Once logged into your Host page, you will find a button to Marketing Materials for Hosts. These are sample letters for perspective sponsors and invitations to teams. We have also included a How To..Get Press Attention and a sample Press Release. These materials are provided to you for use in marketing/advertising your contest. Any materials developed by the Host should be forwarded to RGI for approval prior to distribution. 6. Line up Judges for Your Competition Host site will select at least 3 judges with a maximum of 12. Suggested individuals for judges include: Teachers/Educators, Engineers of various disciplines, Town Officials and Sponsors, Architects, Artists. Plan for alternate judges to avoid last minute problems. Judges will use the Official Rube Goldberg Machine Contest Judging Form. This form is included in the Official Rule Book and may also be downloaded from CONTESTS page on the web site. 7. Fund Your Competition Suggested sponsors: Manufacturing and Engineering companies, local businesses, local colleges, educational supply stores, etc. Expenses may include: - Facility Fees - Postage, printing and mailing of recruitment materials - Refreshments at competition - Awards / Prizes - Printing of Program Agenda 8. Hold Your Competition No competition will be held for any location with fewer than 3 entrants. Should a location have fewer than 3 teams, the Host should inform RGI and the location will be cancelled for that year. For every 20 participants in a Regional, 1 team may attend Finals. For every additional 20 participants in a Regional, 1 additional team may attend (e.g., = 2 teams advancing). If an advancing team from a Regional is unable to participate in Finals, the next highest scoring team from that Regional may choose to participate in place of the advancing team. 5

6 Advancing teams need to contact RGI and the Finals Host a minimum of 2 weeks prior to Finals. There are no additional fees to RGI to compete in Finals. 9. Awards Host sites give recognition/awards to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place teams. Additional awards are allowed. Examples are: Best Step Funniest Step Best Design Most Rube Like Machine Best Presentation Risk Award Peer Award Best Construction Most Creative Use of Materials Awards, trophies or certificates are provided by the host location. The RGI logo and the contest badge art work may be used by any host to create items. 10. After Your Competition Please go to your Host Page and denote 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners. Please post photos and videos of your contest. Inform the winning team that they must contact RGI and the Finals Host a minimum of 2 weeks prior to Finals. Please rube@rubegoldberg.com with any questions - or to request a phone call to discuss Hosting. 6