Division: Div. B – Middle School

Event Rules: See the National Event Rules

National Event Page: Here

Description:

Prior to the competition, competitors will design, build, test, and document a Rube Goldberg®-like device that begins with a specific Start Action and ends with a specific Final Action with an optional series of specific actions between the Start and Final Actions.

Materials:

Teams must build one device prior to competition and impound that device, along with the Action Sequence List (ASL), and any tools or parts that they will use during their set-up time or run before the first time slot. Electric outlet access will not be available. Eye protection with the corresponding ANSI marking Z87 is required. During competition, teams will have around 40 minutes to adjust, repair, and run their device.

Scoring:

High score wins. Ties are broken first by fewest penalty points and second by smallest overall dimensions of the Device.

Additional Past Resources:

Mission Possible Workshop – video from previous SO workshop about Mission Possible 

Teaching Engineering – Simple Machines 

Construction Tips for Mission Possible Devices

2025 Sample Action Sequence List (ASL) – Coming soon 

Action Sequence List Editable Template 

Khan Academy Tutorials on Physics

Wikipedia Site on Rube Goldberg machines

Digital Download Mission Possible DVD in the Science Olympiad Store

1-Minute Video Clip on Science Olympiad TV YouTube Channel

FAQs

Have a question about an event? Check our 🔎 Event Intel: Coach Questions & Answers for answers to all event FAQs submitted by coaches. The document includes event-specific questions and clarifications and will be updated as additional questions are reviewed and answered.

Please check the FAQ document before submitting a new question – you may find your answer already there!