Essay On Rube Goldberg Machine

“You want me to build what?”

“A Rube Goldberg machine. It’s pretty simple…”

A Rube Goldberg machine, by definition, is not simple—especially when you are recruited to build one a week before the first Science Olympiad competition. Two rolls of duct tape, a bag of hot glue sticks, and fourteen consecutive hours of Yo-Yo Ma later, I had created a lopsided contraption that managed to win a fourth place medal. In a way, my machine reflects my identity. Similar to how galaxy duct tape and neon green golf balls distinguished my Rube Goldberg machine, my experiences in Science Olympiad, research, and art make me unique.

Two years later, Science Olympiad continues to dominate my free time. As a competing member, I study for events by reading textbooks, taking notes, and occasionally playing biology-themed charades. As an event leader, I give informational presentations, answer questions, and add resources to our website. Most of my work, however, is done as club captain, arranging everything from weekly meetings to t-shirt designs to competition logistics.

Practice tournaments were the biggest change made under my leadership. In my first year, competitions overwhelmed me; I didn’t know what to expect on tests and was surprised at how taxing successive exams were. To reduce the learning

My early artistic ventures mainly consisted of inviting friends to draw with me. This soon became a regular activity, an unofficial club. In 2008, we were persuaded to enter the Minnesota State Fair competition, and we each brought home a third premium ribbon. This continued for a couple of years, but our artwork slowly transformed from realistic paintings into silly doodles. Intent on placing higher than third, I created more serious artwork on my own. After several failed attempts, I achieved this goal in 2011, triumphantly bringing home the ruffly purple ribbon awarded for a grand