Instant Challenge #27 - All Smooshed Up (Performance-based)

Challenge: Create imaginary props that are combinations of everyday objects or ideas, and use these imaginary smooshed props in an original performance.

Time: You have 3 minutes to make your list of smooshed items, an additional 3 minutes to create your performance. Then you have 2 minutes to present your solution to the appraisers.

The Scene: You woke up one morning and everything is all smooshed up. Literally! For breakfast, mom made suaseggs (sausages/eggs) and orangilk (orange juice/milk). Your teacher hands out englimath (english/math) papers and your favorite pet is now a doish (dog/fish). As your team goes through the day make a list of the different smooshed items you find. Then use your imaginary smooshed items as props in a performance about your day.

Materials: May be used during the planning stage but may not be part of the final solution
1 sheet paper
pencils

Scoring:You will receive
A. 5 points for each smooshed item used in the performance
B. Up to 25 points for the creativity of the smooshed items
C. Up to 20 points for the creativity of the performance
D. Up to 20 points for teamwork

Instant Challenge #26 - Shoe-d You?

Challenge: Change the pile of shoes into something else.

Set-up: Take off your shoes and place them in a pile in the middle of the floor.

Procedure: Your team is sick of wearing of shoes. Just putting them on your feet and walking with them is booorrriiinngg! You want to see what else you can make out of a pile of shoes. You will have 5 minutes to transform the pile of shoes in the middle of the floor into something else. Then you will have up to 1 minute to present your creation to the appraisers. During your presentation, you may continue to touch and manipulate your creation.

Materials: Your shoes

Scoring: You will receive
A. Up to 35 points for the creativity of the creation
B. Up to 35 points for the creativity of your presentation
C. Up to 30 points for teamwork.

Instant Challenge #25 - Running In Circles (Task-based - to move/control)

Challenge: Devise a way to move a marble from the first cup to the second cup, the third cup, and back to the first cup.

Time: You will have 10 minutes to build design and build your device using the materials provided and 1 minute to run the marble, using your device over the cups.

Set-up: Place 3 cups upside down in a square at least 3 inches apart from each other, measured from the closest points of the tops of the cups. Label the #1, #2 and #3.

Procedure: Using the materials provided, devise a way to move a marble from cup #1 to cup #2, to cup #3, and back to cup #1. During the 10 minute designing and building phase, you may lift the cups, if necessary, to work with them to build your device. However, when the 10 minutes expires, the distance between the cups must be at least 3 inches. During the 1 minute running phase, you may touch the marble to launch it, but you may not touch the marble or your device after the marble is launched. The marble may not touch the table (or building surface) at any time. If the marble touches thetable, you may bring it back to the start and try again. You will earn points for each time the marble completes the circuit of cups during the 1 monute running time. The marble must complete the circuit to receive score.

Materials:
Scissors (may be used during the planning stage but may not be part of the final solution)
3 cups
2 ribbons
3 straws
3 mailing labels
2 rubber bands
3 stir sticks
1 piece foil
1 marble

Scoring: You will receive
A. 10 points for each circuit completed
B. Up to 40 points for the creativity of your design
C. Up to 20 points for teamwork

Instant Challenge #24 - Roll-y Pole-y (Task based)

Challenge: Build a tower as tall as possible on the side of a cup.

Time: You will have 5 minutes to build the tower and 30 seconds to test it.

Procedure: On the table is a cup positioned on its side. Using only the materials provided, your team must build a structure that is as tall as possible without falling over. You may not crush the cup in order to anchor it to the table. The tower must stand erect at least 5 seconds for score.

Materials:
1 pipe cleaner
1 twist tie
1 craft stick
1 piece of foil
1 paper clip
1 straw

Scoring: You will receive
A. 5 points for each inch the tower extends above the top side of the cup
B. Up to 20 points for creative use of materials
C. Up to 20 points for teamwork

Instant Challenge #23 - Party for a Princess (Perfromance based-team created props)

Challenge: Plan a party for a princess without being sent to the dungeon.

Time: You have 4 minutes to plan the party and 3 minutes to present your ideas and one party favor to the princess (the appraisers).

The Scene: You are a group of party planners, well known for your extravagant and exciting parties. The princess of an exotic country has hired you to plan her birthday bash. Her expectations are high - she wants only the very best, the newest, the most exciting. During your planning time put together the party theme, guest list, and the place for the party. Plus make one party favor for the princess to see. The presentation to the princess will make or break the deal -  so go for it! If you succeed, your group of party planners will be paid very handsomely, but should you fail - it's into the dungeons!

Materials:
Feathers
Sequins
Buttons
2 Cups
2 Pipe Cleaners
2 Twist Ties
2 Ribbons
The following may be used in the plannning stage, but may not be part of the final solution:
Scissors
Colored Markers
Glue or Glue Stick

Scoring: You will receive
A. Up to 20 points for the creativity of the party theme
B. Up to 20 points for the creativity of the guest list and the place
C. Up to 20 points for the creativity of the party favor
D. Up to 40 points for the presentation to the princess