This page is for registering your team to build a link for F.A.T. 2019. If you simply want to watch the event, buy spectator tickets here.

For more than 20 years, the MIT Museum has hosted the Friday After Thanksgiving (F.A.T.) Chain Reaction, a wild and whimsical feat of community engineering. This year’s event is the final one. To make this the biggest, fattest F.A.T. ever, we’re counting on the creativity of our building teams, including you!

In the weeks leading up to the event, you will construct your link: a device with moving parts that interact in a mini chain reaction. On November 29, we will connect everyone’s links for the grand finale!

In building your link, try to use a range of materials and types of motion. Incorporate features that will entertain the audience, including something related to the 2019 theme: Gear Up for the Future. If you need ideas, you can join us for one of our Contraption Construction help sessions.

Team Registration Rates

Teams can have a maximum of 8 members. Team registration closes on November 28 at 5:00 pm. All tickets to F.A.T. are also valid for same-day MIT Museum admission!

• Team registration (flat fee for first 4 members): $16.00
• Additional team members (maximum team size is 8): $5.00
• Adult chaperones, family members, or guests of teams must pay regular spectator rates.

The Team Leader who registers the team must be at least 18 years old. The Team Leader will receive an email with links to (1) a form asking for more details about your team, (2) Building Guidelines, and (3) a Liability and Photo Release form that all team members (or their parents/guardians) must sign.

Event Location
F.A.T. takes place at MIT’s Rockwell Gymnasium, 106 Vassar Street, Cambridge, MA 02139.

TEAMS BRING PRE-CONSTRUCTED LINKS TO F.A.T. There is not an option to construct a link at the event.

Event Schedule

11:30 am – 1:00 pm . . . Teams arrive and check in
1:00 pm . . . . . . . . . . . . . Doors open to spectators
1:00 pm – 3:30 pm . . . . Activities
1:15 pm . . . . . . . . . . . . . Artist/engineer Arthur Ganson interviews teams
3:30 pm . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chain Reaction Begins

Calling all volunteers!
We need volunteers who can work shifts between 11:00 and 4:00 pm on 11/29/2019. Volunteers receive an MIT Museum T-shirt and free lunch. Please contact Julia Sable. Thanks!