2021 Digital Rube Goldberg Machine Minecraft Contest

Build a digital Rube Goldberg Machine in Minecraft Education that completes a simple task in the most fun and overly complicated way possible. In the creative environment of Minecraft, first learn how to create working simple machines in bi-weekly tutorials, then string those simple machines together to create a wacky chain-reaction contraption to compete in the first ever digital Rube Goldberg Machine Contest.  Rube Goldberg Machine Contests inspire communication, problem-solving and teamwork while honing skills like math, physics and chemistry. What separates a Rube Goldberg Machine Contest from other chain reaction competitions is artistry, storytelling, and a sense of humor.

What is the NASEF 2021 Digital Rube Goldberg Machine Minecraft Contest?

The 2021 Digital Rube Goldberg Machine Minecraft Contest is a STEAM competition where students from grades 3-12 compete with machines that they have imagined, designed in Minecraft Education Edition, and created in a fun and competitive forum. The competitions encourage teamwork and out-of-the-box problem solving, in a fresh learning environment and level playing field. Best of all, this year’s Digital Rube Goldberg Machine Contest with Minecraft Education Edition is FREE for all teams!

Education Standards

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Tune in to our Awards Double Header on Saturday, April 10 
2021 Rube Goldberg Machine Contest Awards Announced + 2021 NASEF Rube Goldberg Machine Minecraft Big Build Challenge Awards Announced

We are awarding prizes for the best Rube Goldberg Machine in real life and on Minecraft.  Join us to see the winning entries of the 2021 Rube Goldberg Machine Contest and 2021 NASEF Rube Goldberg Machine Minecraft Big Build Challenge! 

First off, we will be announcing the 2021 Rube Goldberg Machine Contest winners. Students and families have utilized their imagination, creativity, teamwork, and out-of-the-box problem solving in a fun and competitive forum. This year, the Rube Goldberg Organization has created a unique competition that combines live team building at school or at home, with online submissions and team pages that culminate in this online awards ceremony. Teams from all over the world have been building complex Rube Goldberg Machines and a team of STEM experts have voted on the best machines. Some winners will receive a cash prize, trophy and a cash donation to a charitable organization of their choice.

After announcing the winners of the 2021 RGMC in the live builds, we will present the winners of our 2021 RGMC Minecraft Big Build Challenge. This digital contest challenged teams from all over the world with the simple task of placing “sprinkles” atop a cake using Minecraft. Find out which teams accomplished the wackiest contraptions using simple machines, creativity, humor and Minecraft! 

Saturday, April 10, 2021 | Start Time: 9:00 AM PT / 12:00 PM ET

• Rube Goldberg Machine Contest Awards: 9:00am - 11:00am PT | 12:00pm - 2:00pm ET 
• RGMC Minecraft Big Build Challenge Awards: 11:00pm - 12:30pm | 2:00pm - 3:30pm ET

Are you one of the hundreds of teams who have submitted a machine accomplishing our Big Build Challenge? You won't want to miss tuning in to see if your machine is featured! Tune in live at https://www.twitch.tv/insideparticipate!

Awards

Preseason

In preparation for the 2021 Digital Rube Goldberg Machine Minecraft Contest finals, NASEF hosted the RGMC Preseason mini-challenges, teaching teams how to create the six simple machines in Minecraft. These mini challenges were opportunities for students to demonstrate their ability to collaboratively build the simple machines in the Rube Goldberg Machine Contest Minecraft worlds.

Timeline

• Registration opens: Wednesday, September 16, 2020
• Preseason: Wednesday, September 16, 2020 - Wednesday, December 11, 2020
• Big Build Challenge - Finals Announcement: Wednesday, January 20, 2021 @ 12:00pm PT | 1:00pm MT | 2:00pm CT | 3:00pm ET | 10:00am GMT
• Rosters + Registration close on NASEF.org: Wednesday, March 3, 2021 @ 5:00pm PDT | 8:00pm EDT | 11:59pm GMT (UTC)
• Big Build Challenge Finals submissions due to Flipgrid: Wednesday, March 10, 2021 @ 5:00pm PDT | 8:00pm EDT | 11:59pm GMT (UTC)
• Big Build Challenge Finals Announcement Stream: Saturday, April 10, 2021 @ To Be Announced

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Contest Eligibility

To be eligible for the 2021 Digital Rube Goldberg Machine Minecraft Contest, all team members must meet the basic requirements:

• Complete registration at the NASEF website. The registration form must be completed by an Adult Sponsor (educator, parent or guardian). The Adult Sponsor will be responsible for the registration of the entire Team.
• Each team member must be between 8-18 years old at the time of registration for the Junior and Senior Divisions. For the @Home Division, all ages are permitted, including adults with children.
• Teams must have a minimum of two members. Teams with less than two members are not eligible to compete based on the requirements of the Contest.
• Each team member must reside in the same country to register and compete together.
• Each team member must read and agree to the Team Guide.
• Throughout the competition:
• Must be your own original work.
• Must not contain any content that is obscene or offensive.
• Each team member must have parent approval in order to be eligible to compete for their team.

Register Your Team (CLOSED)

RGMC Participation Team Guide

Big Build Challenge Finals Team Guide

Team Requirements

Teams will be required to have at least two and no more than four eligible Players on its roster.

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Divisions

• Junior Division: 8-13 years
• Senior Division: 13-18 years
• @Home Division: All ages (adults can register as part of the team)

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