Participants of the 1st Annual Rube Goldberg Machine Contest Korea National Qualifier pose during the event at the Incheon Global Campus Gymnasium, Sunday. Courtesy of George Mason University Korea

George Mason University Korea hosted a Korea national qualifier for the 1st Annual Rube Goldberg Machine Contest Feb. 23 and 24 at the Incheon Global Campus Gymnasium, the Washington, D.C.-based college's overseas academic institute in Korea said Tuesday.

Tasked with building overly complicated contraptions to feed a pet, the contest pits participants and their mechanical inventions against each other. Some 300 participants from 20 elementary, middle and high school teams joined the two-day event.

"The Rube Goldberg Machine Contest provides an opportunity for participants to assimilate and apply their scientific knowledge in creative ways. It also serves as an education for future talents in science, technology, engineering and mathematics," George Mason University Korea President Joshua Park said during his keynote speech for the event, Saturday.

Of the 20 teams, seven were named as contest winners. The winners will participate in the world championships slated for March in the U.S. Those who enter George Mason University Korea in the future will also be given scholarships.

"Creative thinking and studying complex mechanics powered by scientific theories are closely related to George Mason University Korea's education philosophy," Park said. "We will continue to provide opportunities for future talents in science under partnership with the Rube Goldberg Machine Contest."

According to the official, George Mason University Korea opened an institute to study and develop computer games powered by metaverse and generative artificial intelligence in November.

A George Mason University Korea student earns a George Mason University degree by starting a bachelor's course in Korea. They have an opportunity to spend up to three years at Mason Korea and one year at Mason's main campus in the U.S.

Rube Goldberg (1883-1970) was an American cartoonist, author, sculptor, engineer and inventor known for designing hilariously complicated gadgets to perform simple tasks in entertaining ways.