Contest FAQ's
We do a lot of things at the Institute and get a lot of questions. Here are some of the most frequently asked. Not seeing your question here? Contact us.
My team does not have experience designing a playground can we still enter?
Of course! Creativity is paramount and if your submission is well explained/detailed, your design is indeed eligible to win.
What does it mean that this contest is "Phase 1 of 3"?
The first step in any project is the design stage, to which you are only submitting your designs (and not physically building anything). The implementation plan is as follows:
Phase 1: Design, Process & Selection (ie: the Rube Goldberg Playground Contest)
Phase 2: Design Charrette, Location Selection & Community Involvement/Approval Process
Phase 3: Installation
How is the Playground Contest judged?
Judging is purely subjective and done by the various members at the Rube Goldberg Institute, along with the team from Miracle Recreation, professionals in playground design, educators, and community representatives.
How do I make my playground more "Rube Goldberg - styled"?
Think about the six simple machines and their relationships to various playground elements (slides = inclined planes, tetherball = screw, merry-go-round = wheel & axle, etc). Try adding interconnected, modular playground elements whereby the child can play their way through the chain reaction sequence. If still having trouble, look up Zach's Contraptions on YouTube as examples.
What do I do if I have a question not listed here?
Any questions regarding the Playground Contest can be directed anytime to the National Contest Director - Zach Umperovitch: zach@rubegoldberg.org.
