Home of the Rhode Island School of The Future and Rhode Island Robotics Design
Return Home
Contact us

Robotic Park Registration

Robotic Park

Summer Workshop

  • N/A

Some guidelines:

1. Chain reaction machines should represent a team effort. A team should have a minimum of three people. One chain reaction machine entry per classroom is allowed. Multiple machines may be built in one classroom but then strung together to become the entry for that entire class. (This must fit into the allotted 3 x 4 space)
2. Tables for the Chain reaction machine at Robotic Park will be 3 feet wide and 8 feet long. Two chain reaction machines will occupy one table therefore each Chain reaction machine will occupy a table space of 3 feetwide by 4 feet long. They should be trigger able left to right. Stringswill be provided at the event.
3. A thematic approach to designing and creating a machine and its table space environment is encouraged.
4. Each team should publish a handout for distribution to the judges and thepublic. This handout should explain in appropriate age level language, a detailed description of how their chain reaction machine works. The use of age appropriate scientific terms is also encouraged. (Examples: use of the concepts of kinetic and potential energy, mechanical energy, etc.)
5. Each machine should be identified by its name, names of the students, school or organization, grade level, teacher or coach. This should be displayed prominently.
6. Machines should try to maintain activity for at least one minute. Machines which maintain interest and activity for more than 2 minutes but less than 4 minutes will be eligible for "The Survivor Award."
7. Specific Safety guidelines for this activity have not been developed. Hopefully common sense will rule. If there are specific questions about safety issues, please mail that question to the list at: risf-L@ride.ri.net so that the group can share in such dialogue. For the time being (although these are overkill you can refer to the NSTA minimum safety guidelines at: https://www.nsta.org/main/pdfs/440.pdf). These Chain Reaction machines will be displayed and demonstrated in the hallway at Peace Dale School, therefore the public will be very close by and that should be taken into account as these are built.
8. Chain reaction machines should be built to be somewhat transportable since they will have to be set-up at Robotic Park in about one hour's time. Keep this in mind as you build.
9. For each Chain reaction event (I think we will run the Chain reaction machines 2 or 3 times on April 6th.) Possibly at 11, 12:30 and 2 pm (to be determined by registration) there should be one and only one designated chain reaction mechanic (a student) present at each machine to troubleshoot its operation.
10. AC outlets will not be available to operate these machines. Any power should be supplied by other means.
11. Other Robotic Park inventions may be incorporated into the overall design of your chain reaction machine. A simple example of this is using a robotic animal to pull the string of the next machine.