JPL Annual Invention Challenge - 2010
Ping Pong Ball Climb Contest
Under beautiful blue skies and a light wind, the JPL Invention Challenge was held on the 180 Mall with more than 300 spectators and participants. This year's contest objective was to build a device that could transport a ping pong ball from near the ground upwards towards a ceiling located 2 meters above the ground and have the ball remain in contact with the ceiling for at least 5 seconds. Times were stopped after first contact of the ball and the ceiling. The device performing this task in the fastest time was declared the winner.
A total of 19 school teams and 12 JPL teams came up with different ways to accomplish this task. The high speed entries used a "bow-and-arrow" method with either suction cups or magnets utilized to hold the ball to the ceiling. Others used sticks that rotated up to the ceiling, or scissor jacks that grew in height. Some entries utilized helium balloons or compressed air to propel the ball upwards. Many of the entries failed to perform the task. This year, the overall fastest time was posted by a team from Magnolia Science Academy Middle School with a blistering time of 0.20 seconds!
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Public Services Office
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Paul MacNeal
paul.d.macneal@jpl.nasa.gov
Phone: (818) 354-7824