Judging:

1. All devices will be tested in a preliminary drop from a fixed height of 6 feet onto thick plywood covered with plastic. A Science Advisory Board judge will load an egg into your device and release it. After the drop, the egg will be inspected. If it is not cracked or broken, then the device moves to the next level of competition.
2. There may be several rounds of competition at fixed heights. In the final competition, each surviving device will be dropped from the library roof (approximately 13 feet). As with the preliminary round, each egg will be inspected for cracks or breakage.
3. Prizes will be awarded. Since drops will be from standard heights, the Science Advisory Board judges recognize that ties are possible. To resolve ties, the devices will be weighed without the egg but including any parts that may have fallen off during the competition. If there is a tie, the winning device will be the one that weighs the least.
4. All unanticipated events during the competition will be resolved by the Science Advisory Board judges, in the spirit of the rules given above.

Rules on Materials and Construction:

1. The device must be made exclusively from materials provided in the official kit (available at Plainsboro Public Library, 641 Plainsboro Road) with the addition of white glue which you may provide for yourself. No other adhesives are allowed.
2. The device cannot contain MORE than
   20 popsicle sticks
   4 rubber bands
   3 straws
   1 sheet of 8 1/2 x 11 inch paper
   1 sheet cardboard (approximately 8 1/2 x 5 inches)
   1 cubic inch (approximately) of modeling clay
   1 yard of string
   1 small balloon
   1 paper cup
   
3. It is NOT necessary to use all the materials.
4. If the balloon is inflated, it may only be inflated with air.
5. If it is not obvious where and how the egg is to be put into the device, easy-to-understand written instructions must be provided for the judges who will do the actual loading. When loaded, about 50% of the egg should be visible to allow for judging of breakage and cracks.
6. The top of the device should have a loop of string attached to it. Science Advisory Board judges will use this to insure identical releases for each device.
7. Your name and category should be written permanently somewhere on the device. Categories include: