Mind A-Mazes 2023

No, moving an object will not count as ‘picking up an object’.  Judges will need to see that the object or objects are noticeable picked up from a surface (directly by the bob) for it count.  For example, if the pendulum bob slides an object from one location to another, that will not count as ‘picking up an object’.

Yes, judges need to be able to hear that the bell or bells are ringing to count that as a completed task.

And remember that the pendulum bob has to directly cause the bell to ring for it to count as a task.  For example, if the bell or bells are ringing because of device vibration or chain reaction (not caused directly by the bob itself), then that task can’t be scored as completed.

In the competition packet, on page 3 (Competition – #4), all devices must be set in motion by a ‘triggering’ action.  Drawing the bob back by hand and then releasing it would NOT be a triggering action.   Even holding the bob back with a pencil or stick (in your hand) and pulling away the pencil or stick with your hand also would NOT be considered a triggering action, since the energy required for bob movement must be other than DIRECT human energy.   Judges need to observe the triggered release of the bob and be sure that there’s no opportunity to provide extra human energy directly to that triggered release.  Also, if a team member ends up holding a triggering device in their hand (not part of or connected to the device), then the person is technically part of the device at that point, which is not allowed.

If, for example, the bob were to rest on a lever and the lever was moved to release the bob – that IS an allowed trigger.  Or if the bob was released by unfastening a binder clip, that too IS an allowed trigger, since all the ‘human’ is doing is releasing the bob and there’s no observable opportunity to influence the bob’s motion with additional direct human energy.  There are other allowable triggering actions as well that don’t rely on ‘direct’ human energy.  *If you’re not sure you’re trigger is ‘legal’, be sure to check on the blog or ask your coach to make sure it’s considered an allowed trigger!  **If a device isn’t triggered by an allowed ‘triggering action’, judges will not score any task/event points for your device!

Yes, teams may use magnets in this year’s challenge.

No remote controls, manufactured motors, battery power, fire, CO2 cartridges, gases, explosives, animal power, liquids, human power, or other forms of electricity.

You could use another object, such as another bob, to hit the official bob, just as long as the ‘official’ bob is causing each event to happen.  An event caused by a chain reaction, not directly caused by the official ‘bob’ pendulum, will not be awarded points.  Teams may be creative in pursuing how to keep the official bob moving, as long as they follow the rules of the challenge and any blog clarifications.

Yes, but only one ‘official’ pendulum bob will be the one attempting the tasks.  So you may have multiple pendulum ‘bobs’ swinging while your device runs, but only ONE of those pendulums is the ‘official’ pendulum and bob that judges will be observing and scoring tasks it completes.   If a team has multiple pendulums, they need to let their judges know which one is the ‘official’ pendulum that will be attempting some tasks.

Yes.

Yes, the material teams use to make a drawing upon can vary, as long as judges can observe the created drawing and that teams don’t create any mess or clean-up issue on the gym floor (see Competition – #1 in packet) – 1 minute cleanup time is also important to remember.

Not exactly sure what you may mean.  The standard ‘Mind A-Mazes’ rule (bold – side 2 of packet at bottom) states that ‘no electricity, manufactured motors, battery power, remote control, etc.’ may be used by teams.  Also, once a device has been triggered by one team member, no one on the team may interfere with the device’s operation after that point.   Please check with your coach or send another question to the blog if this didn’t answer your question.

Any observable object (you can be creative!) that is directly picked up by the pendulum would count as a ‘pick up’.  Judges need to be able to see that an object (not originally part of the pendulum bob prior to triggering) was picked up, at least for an observable period of time.  If an object is picked up and then later dropped (intentionally or accidentally), judges may still count that task as completed (if that task or event was intended to be scored for that swing), just as long as the dropped object doesn’t roll or land outside of the 4 ft x 4ft device space on the gym floor.  The only exception to this rule is the popped latex glove.  See Rule 3