NASEF, in partnership with the Rube Goldberg Institute, held two STEAM competitions where students use their creative and technical skills to build innovative Rube Goldberg machines in a digital environment. This unique challenge invited participants to design and build their contraptions in Minecraft and / or Unreal Engine. This year’s competition was to “Feed A Pet,” prompting students to build a machine that could perform the simple task of feeding an animal. Students submitted a video presentation describing their machines, which included at least four simple machines and had a minimum of 10 steps (transfers of energy).

More than 1,600 students entered the two events, with 22 countries represented overall. Let’s see the winners from both competitions.

Minecraft Competition Winners

Congratulations to these winners! Watch the VOD of the award stream for Minecraft and Unreal Engine to see these awesome creations!

1st place: JB Minecraft from Sunny Isles Beach, FL 

2nd place: Levi Liners from Sunny Isles Beach, FL 

3rd place: Team Villagers from Suwanee, GA 

Senior Division Winners

1st place: Crocodilo Guys from Sunny Isles Beach, FL  

2nd place: The Patata Potatoes from Stillwater, MN

3rd place: Team Alfonso from Islesboro, ME 

Unreal Engine Competition Winners

Junior Division Winners 

1st place: Team Frechus Biggus from Ontario, CA

2nd place: Team Chicken from Ontario, CA 

3rd place: Team Jake Carter from Asheboro, North Carolina

Senior Division

1st place: Team Southgate from Henderson, Nevada

2nd place: Team J&J from Kettering, Ohio

3rd place: Team Duck Machine from El Paso, Texas