Mission Possible

Division: Div. B – Middle School

Event Rules: See the National Rules Manual 

National Event Page: Here

Clarifications: This event will only run at the State Tournament for teams that qualify.

Description:

Prior to the competition, participants design, build, test and document a Rube Goldberg-like device that completes required Start and Final Actions through a series of specific 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.

Event 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