Angel Pampena
Chain Reaction Contraption
The Chain Reaction Contraption Competition (CRCC) is a competition for students in grades 9 -- 12 sponsored by Westinghouse Electric Company, and presented in cooperation with the Carnegie Science Center. The purpose of the competition is to build a machine to accomplish a given task using a series of steps, like a Rube Goldberg machine. The competition prompt changes each year, and is designed to be able to be interpreted in various ways.
The team from Franklin Regional High School was made of ~10 -- 15 students and was advised by two physics teachers, Kip Boggs and Richard Sunny. The majority of supplies to build the machines were selected from recycled and donated materials throughout the years.
Make a Mess and Clean it Up!
August 2019 -- February 2020
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Placed 7th place and attended finals
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Invited to Westinghouse Electric Company in early 2020 to present machine to employees
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One of four presenters at competition
Interpretation of Theme:
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"Make a mess" is analogous to a conflict in stories
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'The Cat In the Hat' story was selected due to being based around making a mess and cleaning it
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Scope of idea was opened up to all Dr. Seuss books
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Mess is cleaned up by dropping pieces into a hole at the bottom of the machine that land into -- and disappear -- a hat
Tie a Knot!
August 2018 -- December 2019
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First year on the team
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One of four presenters at competition
Interpretation of Theme:
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End the machine by "tying the knot" through marriage
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The rest of the machine is a timeline leading up to marriage
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Each step of the machine is designed as a major milestone in life from birth to marriage
