How to transport a metal ball from one place to another using as many physical laws and phenomena as possible? This challenge will be undertaken for the fifth time by participants of the only such experiment on Poland. All you have to do is to fill in a registration form, build a machine that will transport the ball, and present it to the audience at the competition grand finale. This year, the awards are worth a total of 50 thousand zlotys.

Chain Experiment is an initiative that promotes practical approach to learning physics. The contest has no age limit, and the only limitations are: imagination, time and space. The device should be able to transfer the ball in no less than 20 but no more than 120 seconds and fit a space of a school desk. The participants can use as many physical phenomena as they wish, and their complication level should match the age category of a given team (kindergarten, primary school, secondary school, high school, higher education students, families, 25+). The laws of physics can be both used to transport the ball and triggered by the ball as it moves. During the grand finale, which will take place on 27 May 2017 in Kraków, the devices will be linked to form a chain.

First editions of the competition aroused interest not only among school students but also among adults. The Jagiellonian University units that organise the event have been also contacted by families and companies wanting to participate in it. Consequently, new categories have been created to enable all interested parties to enter the competition.

“This was a great idea, as physics is around us all the time, and it pays off to learn it. By taking part in the Chain Experiment you can also improve your teamwork, assertive communication and project management skills. The grand finale, when all the devices are linked to form a chain and put into operation in front of the audience, shows that physics can be a great fun. Altogether, 347 such machines were constructed during four previous editions”, says Daniel Dziób, the project coordinator.

The jury evaluates the projects and devices, taking into account the number of physical phenomena involved along with the participants’ ability to explain them, the complexity and effectiveness of the device, as well as creativity and esthetics. Each age group will be evaluated and awarded separately. The total value of the prizes is 50 thousand zlotys.

The competition rules, timetable, and registration form are available on its website (Polish version only).

The event is held under the honorary auspices of the Rector of the Jagiellonian University Prof. Wojciech Nowak.