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Rube Goldberg Machine Contest (RGMC)

Engineering
Science
Leadership

Rube Goldberg Institute

MultipleAnnual competition

The Rube Goldberg Machine Contest (RGMC) is an annual STEM competition hosted by the Rube Goldberg Institute where teams of up to 15 students design and build elaborate, over-the-top machines using everyday objects to complete simple tasks in the most creative way possible. Teams compete at regional events around the world, with top performers advancing to national competitions and the World Championship held at Rube-Con in Indianapolis. The RGMC is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to apply design thinking, engineering, and teamwork in a setting that rewards imagination just as much as technical skill.

Visit rubegoldberg.org

Skills You'll Build

Problem Solving

Breaking down a challenge and working through it methodically to a solution.

Critical Thinking

Evaluating information carefully before drawing a conclusion or making a decision.

Team Leadership

Guiding a group toward a shared goal and keeping everyone moving together.

Project Management

Planning tasks, timelines, and resources to get a project done on schedule.

Strategic Planning

Setting long-term goals and mapping out the steps to reach them.

Related Careers

Mechanical Engineer

Students design and build functional machines from everyday objects, directly applying mechanical engineering principles.

Industrial Engineer

Teams optimize processes to solve a simple task in the most efficient (or deliberately inefficient) way possible.

Entrepreneur / Small Business Owner

Students manage team projects, allocate resources, and bring creative ideas to functional completion under constraints.

Quick Facts

Format
In-Person
Competitiveness
Open Enrollment
Best For
Creative problem-solvers & builders

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