2021 Rube Goldberg Machine Contest Results

On April 10th, Genesis: Pathways to Success and the Jac-Cen-Del Community School Corporation hosted the 10th annual Rube Goldberg Machine Contest. Machines were designed to “Shake and Pour a Box of Nerds,” and their spectacular contraptions amazed and inspired contest officials. Teams participating in this year’s contest included: Batesville Middle School, South Ripley Junior High School, St. Louis Catholic School, Batesville High School, and the Ripley County Engineering Academy. The following awards were distributed:

• Division I 1st Place: St. Louis Catholic School

• Division I 2nd Place: Batesville Middle School

• Division II 1st Place: Batesville High School

• Division II 2nd Place: Ripley County Engineering Academy

• Judges Award: Ripley County Engineering Academy

• Mama Genesis Award: Batesville Middle School

• NERDS Award: South Ripley Junior High School

“I am more inspired this year than ever with these teams,” said Cheryll Obendorf, former Genesis Director and Rube Goldberg Volunteer Event Coordinator. “Everyone in Ripley County should be extremely proud of these students and their coaches. They persevered through a pandemic in order to get to this day and to this event. Their ingenuity, engineering skills, teamwork, and spirit are evident and should give us all hope for the future. “

The results from the local contest did not have an impact on the national contest finals. The national Rube Goldberg Machine Contest was held virtually, with teams entering via video submissions. Two Ripley County teams were included in the People’s Choice vote for finals: St. Louis Catholic School and Batesville High School. 

Sponsors for the 2021 contest were Great Plains Communications, Friendship State Bank, Napoleon State Bank, Chozen Designs, Proud Moments Engraving, Obendorf Inc, / A to Z Music, and the Ripley County Community Foundation.