Local Schools Compete at 15th Annual Rube Goldberg Machine Contest

The event was held February 28 at Jac-Cen-Del High School.

Photo provided.

(Osgood, Ind.) - The 15th annual, regional Rube Goldberg Machine Contest hosted by Genesis: Pathways to Success and Jac-Cen-Del Community School Corporation was held on Saturday, February 28 at Jac-Cen-Del High School in Osgood, Indiana. A total of 9 teams from Division I (Middle School) and Division II (High School) competed in this competition.

Creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork were on full display at the Rube Goldberg Machine Contest, where this year’s challenge was to “Open A Box”. From elaborate machines to imaginative storylines, each team engineered a unique chain reaction machine that transformed a simple task into an entertaining and complex chain reaction.

Division I schools that participated in the contest were Batesville Middle School, Our Lady of Lourdes, and St. Louis Catholic School. Division II schools were Anderson High School, Batesville High School, Oldenburg Academy, and Jac-Cen-Del High School.

Various awards were presented this year, including first, second, and third place for Division I, and first, second, and third place for Division II. The Best Dressed Award was presented to a team that best aligned their attire to the theme of their Rube Goldberg Machine. The Creativity Award recognized a team that used their imagination to develop an original and innovative theme and series of steps for their machine. Finally, the Most Rube Goldbergian Award was presented to a team with a machine that demonstrated and upheld characteristics and attributes that were most closely related to Rube Goldberg.

Division II First Place: Oldenburg Academy (Koopa Troopas). Photo provided.

Awards for the 2026 Rube Goldberg Machine Contest were distributed as follows:

● Division I First Place: St. Louis Catholic School (SLS Gamesters)

● Division I Second Place: St. Louis Catholic School (SLS Pirates)

● Division I Third Place: Batesville Middle School (Goldburgers Bowling)

● Division II First Place: Oldenburg Academy (Koopa Troopas)

● Division II Second Place: Anderson High School (The Plank Walkers)

● Division II Third Place: Jac-Cen-Del High School (Ripley County Engineering Academy)

● Creativity Award: St. Louis Catholic School (SLS Pirates)

● Best Dressed Award: Anderson High School (The Plank Walkers)

● Most Rube Goldbergian Award: Oldenburg Academy (Koopa Troopas)

“Our regional Rube Goldberg Machine Contest continues to grow with each passing year, and the brilliant students who construct the intricate machines continue to impress the crowd with their ‘out-of-the-box’ thinking. Genesis: Pathways to Success sincerely appreciates each team for stepping up to the challenge and bringing inspiring energy to the event. Not only do the students gain hands-on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics) experience, but they also develop essential life skills in the process,” stated Jenna Kohrman, Educational Program Coordinator of Genesis: Pathways to Success. Kohrman further noted, “The success of our regional competition wouldn’t be possible without the support of our passionate volunteers, who serve as Judges, Referees, or Scorekeepers, and our sponsors.”

Sponsors for the Rube Goldberg Machine Contest include the Ripley County Community Foundation and Franklin County Community Foundation. The generosity and support from these sponsors are appreciated by everyone involved in this program.

If you are interested in learning more about the Rube Goldberg Machine Contest or would like to volunteer for next year’s competition, please contact Jenna Kohrman by emailing at jkohrman@genesisp2s.org, calling 812-933-1098, or stopping by the office at 13 E. George Street, Suite B, Batesville, IN, 47006.