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