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The Chain Reaction Contraption Contest, held on December 11th, challenged students to create a complex machine to complete an everyday task in 20 steps or more.

The contest is a program of the Chevron Center for STEM Education and Career Development and is part of the Science Center’s celebration of National Engineers Week. The contest is sponsored by Westinghouse Electric Company LLC and presented in cooperation with the Carnegie Science Center and the Engineers' Society of Western Pennsylvania.

Contraptions were judged on functionality, complexity, and creativity in achieving the task. Thirty-five teams from 30 area high schools participated in the engineering competition, which this year challenged teams to “Tell a Story.”

Hempfield Area High School took top honors. Cornell High School won second place. North Allegheny Senior High School claimed third place.

“It’s imaginative events like the Chain Reaction Contraption contest that inspire the next generation of innovative thinkers who we need to solve the world’s ever-changing technology challenges,” said Jim Brennan, senior vice president, Westinghouse Engineering Center of Excellence. “I was really impressed with the hard work and creativity that these students showed with their projects.”

Special awards were also presented to the following schools:

• Longest Successfully Executed Contraption presented to Kiski Area High School. Award sponsored by Westinghouse.
• Rookie of the Year presented to Shaler High School. Award sponsored by Carnegie Science Center. This school will receive a field trip for up to 25 students to attend National Engineers Week at Carnegie Science Center on February 19.
• Best Use of Gravity presented to West Mifflin High School. Award sponsored by Carnegie Science Center. This school will receive a field trip for up to 25 students to attend Carnegie Science Center.
• Most Mechanical presented to Greater Latrobe High School. Award sponsored by Carpenter Powder Products, Inc.
• Best Presentation presented to Baldwin High School. Award sponsored by Robotics Institute School of Computer Science -- Carnegie Mellon University.
• Best Transportation System presented to Somerset High School. Award sponsored by Bombardier Transportation.
• Most Efficient Reset presented to Montour High School. Award sponsored by Bayer HealthCare.
• Best Execution of a Theme presented to Brentwood High School. Award sponsored by Kennywood Amusement Park.
• “What Will You Create?” award presented to North Allegheny Senior High School. Award sponsored by Inventionland.

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