This year’s competition involves building a Rube Goldberg device that must open a book and turn a page. A Rube Goldberg device is elaborate and designed to complete a certain task through a number of complex steps. 

Students receive assistance from engineer volunteers who visit classes and provide instruction on machines and engineering in general, along with suggestions for their Rube Goldberg device. The Rube Goldberg devices are built out of junk the students bring in from home. The purpose of this event is to introduce children to the idea of pursuing a career in engineering or a STEM-related field.

One of the volunteer engineers Collin Smith, was once a 5th grader participating in the competition as well. Smith stated this was a full circle event for him because years after participating in the competition he would volunteer to assist with the program and would meet his future employer.

This year, there will be teams participating from the following schools: Ball Chatham, Black Hawk Elementary, Graham Elementary, Little Flower, Morrisonville Elementary, Our Savior’s Lutheran, Riverton Middle, Rochester Intermediate, Southern View Elementary, Springfield Christian, Trinity Lutheran and Beckemeyer Elementary School in Hillsboro.

The 3 finalists selected will get to compete at the Engineering Open House at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.