Mister 8

MAKE Alex Rider Dream Gadget Contest Banner

While Tanner @ Double O Section is putting together a fantastic week of Alex Rider reviews and materials, MAKE Magazine is encouraging folks from ages 8-18 to create a gadget for the renowned underage super-spy for a chance to win a bevy of cool prizes!

Here are the details:

MAKE is teaming up with the Penguin Group to present The Alex Rider Dream Gadget Contest!
All of you adventure-seekers and gadget lovers out there are invited to join in. If you were Alex Rider, what gadget would you want in the upcoming adventure “Crocodile Tears”? Design your dream Alex Rider gadget, inspired by an everyday object (i.e. an iPod, toothpaste, a pen). The winning gadget will be built right here at the MAKE Labs. Send us a schematic of what your gadget is made from and how it works. (Your schematic can be a diagram, a drawing or an explanation by you). Remember that the winning gadget will be inspired by an everyday object that one could realistically build (as much as we wish we could create a pair of scissors that could fly us to the moon)! The contest begins on November 17, 2009 and will end at 11:59:59 p.m. PST on December 22, 2009

How to Enter
To enter in the Alex Rider Dream Gadget Contest, click on the “Enter Here” link below. The contest is open to entrants ages 8-18. If you are under 14 years old, you will need to provide your parent/guardian’s email address so they can provide consent for you to enter the contest. The entry form will ask for a description of your dream gadget, as well as a Flickr URL that links to a schematic (diagram, drawing, photo, etc). As well as filling out the form, we ask you to post any schematic images to the Alex Rider Flickr Group

What are you waiting for, Enter Here!

Amazing Prizes!

Grand Prize (one winner):

A signed collection of hardcover Alex Rider novels
iPod nano with a personalized message from author Anthony Horowitz
A backpack full of goodies and gadgets from the Maker Shed
The opportunity to have the winner’s dream gadget produced in MAKE Labs and featured on Make: Online

Runner-Up Prize (two winners):

A signed hardcover copy of Crocodile Tears
An Alex Rider t-shirt

A full set of rules can be found at the MAKE website. Spread the word!

And if, like me, you’re too old to enter, you can still check out the entries at the Alex Rider Dream Gadget Flickr group. Looks like some great designs have already been posted….