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How to Enter the Launch It! Challenge

How to Enter the Launch It! Challenge
We're launching our Instructables Store, and what better way to celebrate than by hurling things through the air?

Join us, and Launch It!

How? Model rockets. Trebuchets. Marshmallow guns. Potato cannons. Slingshots. Catapults. Air pressure. Water pressure. Explosives. Rubber bands. Muscles. Engines. Springs. Something even more creative. We're launching the Instructables store- you get to launch everything else.

If you need inspiration, check out these classic Instructables:
Tennis Ball Mortar
Soda Bottle Rocket
Rocket Powered Matchbox Cars
Marshmallow Gun
Automatic K'nex gun
Office Supplies Trebuchet

Ratings Prize: First
The Instructable with the highest rating will receive a gift certificate for a Instructables Robot t-shirt from the Instructables store, and a custom-engraved Leatherman.
Ratings Prize: Runners-Up
The 5 Instructables with the next-highest rating will each receive a gift certificate for a Instructables Robot t-shirt from the Instructables store.
Page Views Prize:
The Instructable with the greatest number of pageviews will receive a gift certificate for a Instructables Robot t-shirt from the Instructables store, and a custom-engraved Leatherman.
Random Prize:
We'll also randomly pick one Instructable to receive a gift certificate for a Instructables Robot t-shirt from the Instructables store, and a custom-engraved Leatherman.

How to Enter:
1. Build something awesome, share it on Instructables, add it to the Launch It! Challenge group, and tag it with the keyword launch_it.

2. Your Instructable must include a video of the launch! Here's how to embed a video- if you have more questions, just ask!

3. You must use proper safety precautions! Don't aim at people, set your surroundings on fire, or do anything dumb or unsafe. Describe any potential hazards carefully, so others can make an informed decision based on the risk. Wear safety goggles, ear protection, a helmet, or other safety gear as necessary. We need to see your safety gear in the video, so be sure to look sharp.

4. Make a sign labeled "Instructables Launch It! Challenge Entry", and display it for the camera at the beginning of your video. If you do this while wearing your safety gear you'll take care of #3 as well!

5. Just to be completely clear: we want to see a sign, your safety gear, and everyone in the video acting responsibly. Unsafe or irresponsible behavior will result in disqualification from this contest, regardless of pageviews or ratings. If you're not sure what this means, ask. We're happy to talk about it.

6. Be creative, and document your project well. That means taking good pictures and writing down a list of parts and directions- the video isn't enough by itself!

7. We're not terribly strict, but your Instructable must be applicable to the Launch It! theme.

8. Publish your Instructable by 11:59pm PDT Sunday, 16 September, 2007.

9. Only projects posted on or after the 1st of August, 2007 are eligible. If you've got an older project that could apply, make another with improvements and submit it to the contest! Post an improved version of someone else's Instructable with a link back to your source of inspiration!

Judging
Once again, we're letting the audience judge! Find the entries here and rate your favorite projects so we know what you like. Vote for as few or as many as you like- it's up to you. Only positive votes will count in this contest! We're not counting negative votes, so voting down your competitor's projects is both unsporting and useless.

We'll judge based on the standings at noon PDT on Thursday, September 20, 2007 so everyone will have time to check out and vote on even the latest entries. Results will be posted shortly thereafter.

Project Submission Deadline: 11:59pm PDT, Sunday, 16 September 2007.
Audience Judging Deadline: noon PDT, Thursday, 20 September 2007.

Fine Print:
You can only win one prize per contest, but enter as many projects as you like and cross-post to other contests! Many Launch It! Instructables would also make great entries in the Science Fair.
International entries are great- we're happy to ship our t-shirts abroad. If you're under 18, that's fine too- we'll just need your parents' OK if you win.

Have a blast!
 
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How to Enter the Launch It! Challenge
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86 comments
1-40 of 86next »
Jun 26, 2009. 7:17 PMDon,t try this at home says:
When are they having another one
Sep 11, 2011. 4:25 PMchuber3 says:
So far the answer is "Not any time soon".
Feb 21, 2009. 1:24 PMbylerfamily says:
So...who won the launch it challenge?I would like to know.
Sep 16, 2007. 2:29 PMsparky2012 says:
My instructable isn't in the group list - it said "published" but it doesn't show up on searches or in the launch_it group. You can access it from my member screen only. HELP
Dec 2, 2008. 4:50 PMWafflicious says:
that is happening to me
Sep 16, 2007. 1:20 PMbriskability says:
HEY, take a look at my rocket http://www.instructables.com/id/EPLRXDCF5Y3TRQ9/
Let me know what you think
Sep 14, 2007. 7:13 PMkruser495 says:
http://www.instructables.com/id/EAJ95Y5F5HVTD4L/ my model rocket is up! check it out.

Sep 1, 2007. 12:35 PMBig Boom says:
can we use parts from a modelrocket say the thing that lights the engine, the engine. and is there any thing we cannt use on or in the rocket like gas?
Sep 8, 2007. 10:43 AMsuper_genius says:
read the rules. they say basically you can use anything to make anything just be safe and dont blow up yourself or your cat.
Sep 8, 2007. 11:08 AMBig Boom says:
i dont have a cat
Sep 10, 2007. 8:23 AMsuper_genius says:
i was just kidding.. but ya just be safe then.
Sep 10, 2007. 1:22 AMpudi.dk says:
Please take a look at mine,
What do you think?

http://www.instructables.com/id/ECET0JTF68BAFK7/
Sep 10, 2007. 6:46 AMpudi.dk says:
Sep 3, 2007. 2:53 PM!Andrew_Modder! says:
lol wtf is a leatherman.
Sep 6, 2007. 10:00 AMjessyratfink says:
Google it, lol. It is the pocket knife of the gods!
Sep 6, 2007. 12:51 PM!Andrew_Modder! says:
oh! :-D my bad heh
Aug 23, 2007. 9:20 AMjessyratfink says:
Ooooh, this will be fun to watch. I don't know that I'll participate, but that's okay. I am clumsy.
Aug 27, 2007. 5:00 PMcanida says:
That's OK- we're still waiting for Electric Chair Barbie!
Aug 31, 2007. 1:57 PMjessyratfink says:
She's coming. Perhaps not as spectacular as once hoped, but I'll definitely get points for style. :P
Aug 29, 2007. 12:33 PMkruser495 says:
http://www.instructables.com/id/EAJ95Y5F5HVTD4L/ my model rocket is up! check it out.

Aug 19, 2007. 11:39 AMKiteman says:
This sudden emphasis on safety gear has been playing on my mind. OK, it gives my boys a chance to look cool in the videos, but I wonder - has somebody been hurt following an Instructable and made a legal-type fuss about it?
Aug 27, 2007. 7:54 PMsuper_genius says:
oooh yea. have you ever had 120 volts stream through you when you were trying to make an outlet power source for a tattoo gun?? or ever been shocked about twice with the FULLY CHARGED capacitor from a disposable camera? Soldering gun burns, hot glue burns, u name it I've felt it. i've never sued anybody for it.. im 15 duh... but i've been hurt, yes.
Aug 20, 2007. 12:00 PMcanida says:
No- we're just being proactive. ;) This is the first contest to specifically ask for projectiles, so we want to encourage good behavior, especially for videos- others may see them without the accompanying text.

And there's nothing like safety gear to make you look especially awesome in videos. Your colander/helmet was pretty sweet.
Aug 20, 2007. 4:10 PMKiteman says:
Hmmm, but how do I top that?
Aug 31, 2007. 1:44 AM_soapy_ says:
Weave some flowers into the holes?
Aug 21, 2007. 8:28 PMiorderedpizza says:
Is it acceptable to launch a person if there is no danger, for instance if they are launched into a large body of water?
Aug 27, 2007. 5:52 PMcanida says:
Yes, but bear in mind the caveats about safety gear, taking sensible precautions, and generally not being an idiot. Translated- yes, if you're smart/sensible about it.
Aug 23, 2007. 8:09 AMKiteman says:
Like this guy?

Aug 31, 2007. 12:45 AMSpectrace says:
haha... that video was proven to be fake though. funny though. "This is not a life saving device."
Aug 29, 2007. 5:20 AMwhatsisface says:
AHA!!! This is the video from Mythbusters is it not?
Aug 29, 2007. 1:00 PMKiteman says:
I don't know - I first saw it on a UK "stupid things done by Johnny Foreigner" clip show a few years ago, and then thankfully somebody had posted it on YouTube.
Aug 26, 2007. 2:17 PMbedbugg2 says:
i think i might enter one of my bows, they shoot like 100ft
Aug 21, 2007. 1:39 PMSuper_David says:
HELP!!!! my instructable was up on the site and in gourp but i accedently unpublished it, then i republished it and now it says it publiised but i cant see it in the group!!
Aug 21, 2007. 1:40 PMSuper_David says:
sorry for the spelling i'm really worried because i put like 5 days into it
Aug 23, 2007. 9:07 AMSuper_David says:
ok its fine now
Aug 17, 2007. 7:23 AMcrazy brain says:
its time to blow!
Aug 17, 2007. 3:06 AMVendigroth says:
THE TIME FOR THE SKITTLES GUN HAS COME AT LAST!
Aug 16, 2007. 8:07 PMHonus says:
This is a good one- I like launching things! :D
Aug 14, 2007. 3:16 PMCameronSS says:
Hope you out up another contest...I don't have a video camera. Closest things are webcams and a soundless 15-second option on the still camera. :-( Hope no one blows their hand off making an entry and then tries to sue you...
Aug 16, 2007. 6:17 PMdan says:
i almost never use the original sound recorded with the video because it usually is crappy and filled with distracting noises. add sound or soundtrack afterward in moviemaker or imovie.
1-40 of 86next »

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