YUBA COLLEGEPURPOSE: To design and build an alteration to a computer mouse that will move the mouse with the energy stored in one or more standard cocked mousetraps. The mouse will compete in two events on a flat floor: (1) a speed race over a 2.5-meter course, and (2) a contest for maximum distance.
EVENT: The event will take place on Wednesday, May 2, 2001 at 2:30 PM in room 713 on the Marysville Campus.
GROUPS: Work alone or recruit one or two persons not in this class to work with you. Entries from groups not affiliated with this class are also welcome.
SCORING: Based on performance and placing in the two contests. Special bonus points for esthetics, clever design, beauty, using the mouse ball as the power wheel, hiding wheels/traps so that they are not seen, unusual/innovative methods, wheelies, smoking tires, blazing speed, humor, or other distinguishing characteristics.
RULES:
Vehicle Configuration - The intent is that the mouse look like a powered mouse…not like a mouse riding on a vehicle. The insides of the mouse may be removed, but the case, both top and bottom and the buttons must be substantially unaltered. Small holes can be cut to allow wheels or the mousetrap mechanism to pass through the case. It is not required that your mouse-vehicle be a conventional "car" with wheels; It could fly, walk, hop, etc. Aerodynamic surfaces are allowed. The following size restrictions apply: If the vehicle has axles, the forward-most axle can be no farther than 5 inches from the rear-most axle. If it uses axles, one of them must be between the front and the rear of the original mouse (not counting the cord). Nothing (except the cord, the "tail") may extend more than 2 inches from the surfaces of the mouse. The "tail" must be at least 8 inches long, made from the unaltered mouse cord. For esthetics, "beautifiers" may be added to the tail. The tail must be unsupported, except at the attachment point, so that it is left to drag free.
Power - Any number of standard-size mousetraps ("Victor", "McGill" or equivalent) may be used, but the springs must fit inside the mouse and they must travel with the vehicle. The traps must be the sole form of power. No human push, no rubber bands, no chemical or compressed gas rockets, etc. The trap(s) can be stripped of all parts (the wood, latch, etc.) to fit them inside the mouse. Only springs from actual standard mousetraps may be used. While the spring(s) must be inside the mouse, the arm (or bale) of the trap may be outside the mouse.
General - The course will be laid out on a smooth horizontal floor. A vehicle must be released from a location so that it is entirely behind the start line, and is considered past the finish line only when all parts of the vehicle are past the 2.5-meter distance. Any parts or debris discarded during a race or left detached from the vehicle are still considered part of the vehicle. The owner may release his/her own vehicle, but must not give it any extra push. The rules for the distance contest will be the same, except the measured distance will be in a straight line from the front of the car at the start to the rear of the car after it stops. The official judge will decide any controversies. Call Steve Klein, 741-6911, for more information.