Mind A-Mazes 2026

This action would count as a screw simple machine, not a wedge, if it was TURNING into the glove to pop it!  If the screw did not turn, but simply went straight into the glove to pop it, that action would count as a wedge, not a screw simple machine.  So remember to use rotational motion if you’re trying to get screw points! 🙂

*Remember that getting screw simple machine points may only be achieved if the screw is acting in a simple machine manner-  What does this mean?

A screw acts as a simple machine by converting rotational motion (twisting) into linear motion (straight-line movement).

The screw needs to used in a rotating manner to accomplish a task.   A screw used to hold together your device would not count.  A screw shape in your device used for something to slide down would count as an inclined plane, not a screw.  A screw that rotated INTO something to cause a reaction to occur could count as a simple machine screw.  See associated blog question on screw/glove too!

Yes!

At least 10 beans need to be spilled, which means they come entirely out of the container used!

*More than 10 beans may be spilled, but judges need to be able to count at least 10 which have completely come out of the container used.

Yes!  The fan blade used does not need to be a manufactured fan blade, but could be made by a team.

Just make sure they judges can recognize it as a fan blade!  *Also, a fan blade just needs to noticeably move in order to receive points, it doesn’t need to spin many revolutions! 🙂

Each device needs to initially be ‘triggered’ by a release of something, not using human assistance that can vary or is hard for judges to determine (such as a push or pull back motion for example).  So a trigger should NOT be things like pulling back an object and releasing it, throwing something, pushing something, etc. (too hard for judges to tell if human assistance is being used too much).  Triggers that ARE allowed include things such as cutting a string, releasing an object the device is holding (not your hand holding), removing an object to trigger the device, and more!

If you’re unsure about your ‘trigger’ idea, please check with your coach and meet coordinators, since an awesome device may receive no judge points at the meet if it’s not being triggered in an allowed way!

Yes, as long as the whole device isn’t made up of multiple Hot Wheels cars.

See Limitation Rule B9 – LEGO rule:

Example: A team may use Lego pieces, just as long as a large portion of their device isn’t constructed with LEGOS. (Since judges need to make the decisions, teams are encouraged to make their devices so they aren’t marginal when it comes to this rule. Most judges will easily spot a device if it is largely constructed with manufactured toy parts or pieces.) Devices based on a manufactured toy/object may be disqualified.

Yes, a domino can act as a lever!

The Fulcrum (pivot point) is the bottom leading edge of the domino. This is the fixed pivot point around which the entire block rotates as it falls.