会跑的“火车”（长期题NO.1）

适合第I、II和III分组

参赛队的题目是设计、制造并操作一部或多部小车。小车将在轨道上旅行，并在不接触地面的前提下在不同的车站停靠。在车站与车站之间旅行时，小车必须克服一些障碍——移动上坡、拖动某物体及其他。表演的主题是解释在轨道上行驶的小车所遇见的困难，表演还包括一个“售票员”角色。当小车到达终点后必须展示一面旗帜或标语，并绕场一圈庆祝胜利。

成本限制：145美元

经历技术难关（长期题NO.2）

适合第I、II、III和IV分组

参赛队的题目是设计、制造并展示一些完成特定任务的装置。参赛队必须创造一个主题，这个主题是关于在完成任务的过程中解决技术故障。题目中有一份可选择的任务清单，包括：响铃、改变某样事物的用词、发出警报、移动一个物体等等。表演中还要包括一个神秘的工程师角色。当然，有一点想不到的是：所有装置的动力来源必须是橡皮筋！

成本限制：145美元

潘多拉之盒（长期题NO.3）

适合第I、II、III和IV分组

这是道古典题，参赛队要将一个电子游戏内容围绕着潘多拉之盒的故事展开。一个游戏玩家受到古希腊神话的启发，从而将游戏多层次地展显出来。这个游戏要包括一个描述潘多拉之盒原始故事内容的开场白、三个逃出盒子代表不同恶魔的角色、以及一个代表玩家健康特征的功率表。想要在游戏中获得最终胜利，玩家必须晋级到最后一关，从而将希望播向世界。

成本限制：125美元

释放弹珠（长期题NO.4）

适合第I、II、III和IV分组

参赛队需要设计、制造并测试一个只能由轻木和胶水组成的结构，而且结构要用来平衡并承受尽量多的重量。该结构要包括在放置重量时释放的5颗弹珠。释放5颗弹珠是由参赛队创造的一个装置移去一部分结构引起的必然结果。当承压板和第一块重物压在结构上时，将释放第一个弹珠。第二块重物压上去后，参赛队将利用他们的装置来释放第二个弹珠，以此类推。参赛队要将重物的放置和“释放弹珠”融入表演的主题中。

成本限制：145美元

无声电影（长期题NO.5）

适合第I、II、III和IV分组

“灯光，摄影，开拍！”

题目要求参赛队创作并演出一场表演。表演描述了一个导演角色创作并演示一部无声电影。这部电影描述了一个滑稽的恶棍角色犯下了三件愚蠢的“恶行”。作为无声电影的表现形式，电影中的角色都不能说话。取而代之的是参赛队将用一个自创的乐器开演；同时用创意的手法显示字幕，向裁判和观众传达故事内容，就像经典的无声电影一样。参赛队也要用一个信号来表示电影开始与结束。

成本限制：125美元

古怪的天气预报（初级题）

适合幼儿园~小学二年级

参赛队要创作并呈现一场幽默表演，其中包括一个预测三个“古怪天气”的气象学家。这个气象学家要以儿歌形式呈现台词，使用一个参赛队创造的预报装置，还要运用一个背景幕布作为气象图。在表演中，人们将通过参赛队所希望的任何创造性的方法来“收听”到气象预报。

成本限制：125美元

Problem 1: Runaway 'Train'
Divisions I, II, & III 

The team’s problem is to design, build and operate one or more vehicles that will travel on tracks and make stops at different stations without touching the floor. While traveling between stations, the vehicles must overcome obstacles —moving uphill, towing something, and more. The theme of the performance will explain the vehicle’s difficulties on the track and will include a ‘conductor’ character. Once the vehicle reaches its final destination it will display a flag or banner during a victory lap!
Cost limit: $145 USD.

Problem 2: Experiencing Technical Difficulties
Divisions I, II, III, & IV
The problem is to design, build, and demonstrate various devices that complete specific tasks. The team will create a theme where technical failures must be resolved through completing the tasks. There will be a list of tasks to choose from including ring a bell, change the wording on something, sound an alarm, move an object, etc. There will also be a mysterious engineer character. Of course, there’s a twist — all of the devices must be powered by rubber bands!
Cost limit: $145 USD.

Problem 3: Pandora’s Box 
Divisions I, II, III & IV
In this classics problem, teams will put a video game spin on the story of Pandora’s Box. A gamer character will take on this multi-level game inspired by the Greek myth. The game will include a prologue that depicts the original story of Pandora’s Box, three characters representing different evils that escaped the box, and a power meter that represents the gamer character’s health. To beat the game, the player will advance to the final level where it will release hope into the world.
Cost limit: $125 USD.

Problem 4: Lose Your Marbles 
Divisions I, II, III & IV
This problem requires teams to design, build, and test a structure, made only of balsa wood and glue, that will balance and support as much weight as possible. The structure will also hold five marbles that will be released during weight placement as a result of a team-created device removing a piece of the structure. After the crusher board and one additional weight are placed on top of the structure, the first marble will be released. After the next weight is supported, the team will use its device to release another marble, and so on. The team will incorporate weight placement and “losing your marbles” into the theme of the performance.
Cost limit: $145 USD.

Problem 5: Silent Movie
Divisions I, II, III & IV
Lights, camera...action! In this problem teams will create and present a performance depicting a Director character that produces and presents a silent movie featuring a humorous villain character that commits three silly acts of “villainy”. Characters that are in the movie may not speak as part of the presentation of the movie. Instead, like classic silent films, the team will use music played on a team-created instrument and creatively displayed subtitles to convey its story to the audience and judges. Also, teams will use a signal to indicate when the movie begins and ends. 
Cost limit: $125 USD.

Primary: Wacky Weather Warning 
Grades K-2
Teams will create and present a humorous performance where a meteorologist makes three predictions of “wacky weather”. The meteorologist will speak in rhymes and use a team-created forecasting device and a backdrop that serves as a weather map. The community will “tune in” to get the weather report in any creative way the team wishes. 
Cost limit: $125 USD.