Suggestion: (Human powered?) Electromagnet (engine based might be too easy). This would require a generator, electromagnet, (engine/human power setup), and a strong structure if the magnet works well!

IF human powered, 3-4 members of the team would contribute power (a 3-4 person stationary bike?) The fourth members of each team (or some other party) would add equal weight to each team's magnet simultaniously. The winner is the team that can sustain the most weight (or just keep it going).

Modifications to this idea: Make it wind/hydro/steam powered, Make it some other (fairly simple) electric device. Allow the teams to choose an equal number of audience members to contribute power (everyone turns a common rod? Pulls a really long belt (circular tug of war)?)

-- Eric Mayers (ebmayers@ucdavis.edu), January 18, 2001