Mind A-Mazes 2026

No.  Although the classic definition in physics assumes a flat, rigid slope, the inclined planes in this challenge do not have to be flat surfaces.  Real world variations such as spiral slides, winding roads, curved ramps or slanted tubes are all examples of modified inclined planes.

No – since they’re both part of the same car, the car itself would count as 1 wheel and axle (not two) [as long as the wheel and axle (car) was part of a chain reaction attempting to complete a challenge task].   Using a 2nd car in the same manner could count as using a 2nd wheel and axle though!

Yes, a toy car can count as a wheel and axle, as long as rule B6 is being met:

6. Simple machines a team wants to get points for using must be directly
connected to the attempted completion of one of the machine’s ‘tasks’.

Yes it does, as long as the inclined plane is connected to the attempted completion of one of the 6 tasks.

6. Simple machines a team wants to get points for using must be directly
connected to the attempted completion of one of the machine’s ‘tasks’.

*No –  a spinner (such as from a game or marble toy device spinner) can not count as a fan blade, just because it spins.   The fan blade used or created should resemble a fan blade, not be a spinner from a game, manufactured set, or a spinner that does not look like a fan blade.

If a team can’t find an actual fan blade, a team may make a fan blade from various materials (cardboard, metal, wood, paper, or even 3D print) – it doesn’t need to have the curved surfaces of a real fan blade, but should look like a fan blade to judges (not a paddle wheel, Marble Roll spinner, game spinner, or spinner which doesn’t resemble a fan).

For small objects like beans or shattered glove pieces that happen to fall out of the 1 meter size limit of the device, judges will not disqualify a team or give them a zero for those small pieces that may have ended up outside the 1 meter cube (after the device has completed its run)! 🙂  So if you happen to ‘spill the beans’ and they fall outside the 1 meter size limit of your device, that is acceptable.

The purpose of rule B1 is to keep the main device and it’s ‘parts’ within 1 meter (such as judges checking for length and height of whole device before triggering, or any levers, arms, or parts of the device falling off or out of the 1 meter area after the device has finished running).  Although shattered glove pieces may land outside the 1 meter size restriction, the inflated glove should be within the 1 meter cube area size limit before triggering!

Yes, 2 tasks can happen at the same time and still earn points, as long as other rules or requirements for the challenge and tasks are followed.  One of these includes that the device will be triggered by one member.

*Please be sure to clearly explain how your device is intended to work to your judges BEFORE demonstrating it (triggered by one team member) so judges know what to look for and where to look for it on the device.   Teams only get one chance to trigger their device!

Yes, more than one simple machine being used at the same time may earn points, but make sure that the simple machines are following rule B6:

6. Simple machines a team wants to get points for using must be directly
connected to the attempted completion of one of the machine’s ‘tasks’. For
example, an inclined plane used as part of a sequence to attempt to complete a task can
earn points, but an inclined plane that is used but doesn’t directly lead to or assist in the
attempted completion of a task will not earn points.

So if a simple machine is being used, but does not lead to the attempted completion of one of the machine’s 6 tasks, that simple machine would not earn points.

*It’s very important to share your device plans with judges prior to triggering your device!  Judges want to know what to look for (what simple machines are being used and what machine tasks are being attempted), where to look for them, and thereby can check if rule B6 is being followed.

Remember the C6 timing rule!  Once the glove pops (even if it does so earlier than expected), all timing and scoring by judges will stop!

So if you’re trying to include a ‘glove pop’ task, make sure it’s near the end of your reaction, since no points will be awarded after the glove burst!

See Competition C6 rule:

6. Timing will end the moment one of the following
occurs:
a. your device stops (expectedly or unexpectedly)
b. one minute has elapsed
c. your inflated non-latex glove pops

No, after the team triggers the device, no team member may be holding or touching the device while it’s running. See Rule B8:

The device must be triggered by one team member. After initial triggering,
no team member may touch the device until the device has run its course.