Challenge brief released...

The teams taking part in the challenge have just received their brief!

(If you would like to take part there is still time - contact Nyree Ambarchian from Peterborough Environment City Trust.)

The Brief:

Teams must create a device which catches and distributes rainwater.

The device must be stationary while in use, must be no larger than 1m3 and must be light enough for two adults to carry (we need to get it into the Museum where the judging will be carried out). The weight of the device should be without rainwater included (if it is too heavy to carry after rainwater has been added this is fine).

The rules:
- 90% items used must be scrap materials.
- 20% of the 90% must be household rubbish that you are rescuing from either the green or black bin. For example, broken saucepan, toilet rolls, milk bottle tops.

An important part of the challenge will be ensuring your project is delivered to the judging venue by the deadline (2pm on Monday 17th November 2008) – so mobility and lightweight design are important factors in your build. Remember the device must be light enough to be lifted by two adults (not entrants to Mr Muscle Universe – ‘normal’ adults!)

Do not include:
Any internal combustion engine,
Any steam engine
Any flammable liquid
Nuclear power (just incase Macgyver or the A team decide to enter!)
Any item which requires a COSHH assessment (care of substances hazardous to health).

Judging Criteria:
Judges are looking for innovative, creative and unique entries. Points will be awarded under the following headings:
Ingenuity
Eco-friendliness – have you used the required amounts of scrap materials?
Aesthetic quality
Incorporation of household rubbish
Quality of build and durability
Amount of rainwater captured and held
Accuracy of distribution of rainwater
Wide dispersion of rainwater (you may need to have two settings one to allow accuracy and one to allow wide dispersion)
Power of water jet

The Judging:
On 19th of November in the presence of our judge Dick Strawbridge teams will be put through their paces as we test them in a gantlet of challenges.

1) The paint test – can your device clean a lightly painted surface?
2) Carbon criminals – can your device knock our carbon criminals down a peg or two?
3) Mystery challenge