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The MSU-IIT FAB LAB Mindanao launches Rube Goldberg Machine Competition at the 3rd Annual MakersCon

by Kassandra A. Buenafe, OfCom | Nov 07 2024

Following the engaging discussions on its opening day, the 3rd Annual MakersCon continued with more activities on November 6, 2024, at Go Hotels Iligan, featuring the launch of the first-ever Rube Goldberg Machine Competition as the main highlight.

In an interview, The MSU-IIT FAB LAB Mindanao Director, Dr. Arnel D. Zamayla, said that initiating such a competition would add excitement and make the event more relatable to the community. Through the showcase of creative and engineering skills, participants built “a chain reaction-type machine that will perform a simple task.”

The term “Rube Goldberg machine” was named after American cartoonist Rube Goldberg, who famously illustrated devices that perform easy tasks in a convoluted but fun process.

Dr. Zamayla shared that the inception of this competition has led to a great opportunity as it was acknowledged by the Rube Goldberg Association where they were able to meet online with the said association, marking The MSU-IIT FABLAB Mindanao as the first maker space in the Philippines to receive this recognition.

The LIKHA FabLab emerged as the competition champion. According to The MSU-IIT FABLAB Mindanao’s Facebook post, “Their creation artfully integrated elements of their local landscape and iconic Batangueño foods, blending cultural pride with cutting-edge electronic innovation. Every step in the machine’s chain reaction was a celebration of heritage and technology, reflecting both tradition and creativity.”

Dr. Zamayla noted that the Rube Goldberg Machine Competition is now a permanent feature of the annual MakersCon, ensuring it remains an integral part of the event’s future editions.

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