Mind A-Mazes 2025

**A reminder about B4 in the packet (listed below) – the device may extend outside a cubic meter during the launching action, but NOT before OR after the shot!  Even if a device is an inch or two beyond the cubic meter size restriction rule (Before OR after a shot), judges will not grant points for the device, as just a couple extra inches may give one team an unfair advantage over others.   Remember that a ‘cubic meter’ includes width, length, and height of the device (including any firing arm)!

4.  The entire device must fit within the confines of a cubic meter.  One edge of the “cube” must be on the starting line when the device is in the ready position.  No part of the device may extend outside of the dimensions of the cubic meter before or after a shot.  Note:  If a part of the device extends beyond the one meter launching area during the launching action (in any direction), it must automatically return to and remain within the one cubic meter immediately following the launch without assistance from anyone.

Yes 🙂

If the ball happens to have its first hit be the top (rim) of the trash can, and then the ball goes IN the can, that launch will count as full points (75).  If the ball, however, hits the top rim and does NOT then go into the trash can, the team will get ‘hitting the trash can’ points (50), not going ‘IN’ the trash can.

____ Your ball hits the side or top of the wastepaper basket.

50 points are awarded, and your team now waits for the Spontaneous Problem to earn more points.

____Your ball landed in the wastepaper basket!

75 points are awarded and you will now try for Target #2.

Yes.  If judges observed a team’s ball going into the trash can, but it then bounces out, they’ll still get credit for getting it ‘into’ the target.

Also remember that points will be given for where the ball ‘strikes first’ – so you may not bounce or roll for points.

See C2 and C4 in packet:

2. Please be aware that teams may have to accommodate lights or ceiling heights as low as 5 meters. Striking the ceiling or hanging lights will result in no points.  Points will be assessed based on the place the ball strikes first – you may not bounce or have the ball ricochet for points.

4. IF your team is successful at placing your sphere into the first target (the first wastepaper basket) then, and only then, will you be asked to shoot for the second target.

*Teams are required to have a trigger as part of their device, and you should work on this trigger earlier than later, as it can be more difficult than you might expect!

Here’s the part in the rule packet mentioning the need for a trigger:

2. The launching force must be supplied by elastic solids (springs, rubber bands, etc.) or by gravity.  No explosives or liquids may be used (see #7). Students are not allowed to use their hands (or any body part) to hold the launching arm in place.  The device must be ready to ‘fire’ without being touched in any way by the student other than to trigger the device. All stored energy must be released by a trigger on the device.  For example, a student may not pull or stretch elastic or similar powered energy sources or hold other stored energy and then simply release it themselves – the device must store any energy and have that energy be released with a single triggered action by a team member.

Yes!   As #2 states in the challenge packet “2.  The launching force must be supplied by elastic solids (springs, rubber bands, etc.) or by gravity. ”

Since a trebuchet is using gravity (in the form of a counterweight), they are allowed.  A trebuchet is actually a specific type of catapult.

Yes, teams should strive to build catapults that are calibrated to go from 1 meter to 11 meters (or any meter mark in between!).  This is what truly makes this year’s challenge difficult!

*The distance won’t be determined until the district meet, so it will be randomly determined at the very start of the meet.  The ‘first’ distance will be between 1-6 meters, and if some teams get that first randomly determined distance, then the 2^nd distance would be randomly determined 7-11 meters  (only teams that get the first target ‘in’ would get a 2^nd shot at a farther distance). 

First Target:  either 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 meters  (randomly determined at district meet by meet organizers – same for all teams)

Second Target:  either 7, 8, 9, 10, or 11 meters (randomly determined at district meet by meet organizers – same for all teams)

The trash cans will be ‘centered’ on the meter distance teams are aiming for (which is determined at the district meet).  This means that if you are aiming for a 3 foot meter distance, place the trash can ‘centered’ over the 3 meter mark!  *This is important, because if you were aiming for a trash can placed right behind a 3 meter line marked on the floor, you’d essentially be aiming farther than 3 meters to actually get the ball into the trash can target.

Yes!                 

Target can centered directly over meter distance during testing.

No!    Don’t place target can just past the meter distance during testing     

This “Mind A-Mazes” blog for 2025 will be a public space where students, coaches, or teams can ask questions about this year’s challenge!  Be sure to read the problem packet, including all the rules and limitations, before posting a question to this blog :).   It’s the responsibility of all teams and coaches to regularly check the blog site for any clarifications on rules that will be effective at the district meet on October 11th!

This blog site will be open for just over 5 weeks, from September 2 to October 8th.

Enjoy this year’s challenge! 🙂