Gizmo 1
Overview:
Build a gizmo out of cardboard, brass fasteners, rubber bands, and string, which can move a pencil across a “river” which is one foot long. Also keep the pencil at least three inches above the river (it's acidic). The pencil must begin motion because of the drop of a marble.
My Experience:
I built the gizmo to be fairly simply and work very reliably. I designed a simple ramp and a lever system which pushed the pencil up onto the ramp for a little bit under the ramp. From this project I learned a lot more about working with limited materials and cardboard work in general. I found in watching my class mates that keeping it simple is definitely the best option, especially with a time crunch.