JPL Invention Challenge

In the 22nd annual JPL Invention challenge called the Ping Pong Ball Run Challenge, teams are tasked with creating a device that moves 10 ping pong balls to a 30 cm tall jar that is about 5 meters away. Teams have to compensate for variables such as wind, gravity, and slope of the set-up area. The ping pong balls also must start at a height under 30 cm and only 1 ping pong ball could be moved at a time. My personal goals while completing this challenge is to cooperate with teammates who will also be working on the device. Our team’s device will be a pipe and a vacuum that will move the ping pong ball into the jar. Because the challenge requires that one ping pong ball must be moved to the jar at a time, a wheel that will spin at a certain speed will control the ping pong balls.