The teams are now disbanded and it is now every nerd for themselves. The remaining nerds take some time to reflect on their new situation and are evaluating each other more than ever.
Bobby and Curtis demonstrate the next challenge
The nerds are called to the fountain area by Bobby and Curtis to be informed of their next challenge. They are shown a demonstration where a ball is dropped from a platform onto panes of glass; the ball breaks a few of the panes before coming to a stop on an unbroken pane. Physics will be the next challenge. The nerds are provided information about the description and weight of the objects to be dropped, the height of the drop, the thickness of the glass panes, and the spacing between the panes. Each individual must research and carefully calculate the math to determine how many panes of glass will break when each object is dropped from the specified the height. Seems pretty easy right?
m x G(9.8 Nkg) x h = PE
Moogega is excited about this challenge since she is a NASA engineer. She is going to dominate this challenge. The nerds spend the evening researching and studying to make sure they have a chance to win. Danielle decides to stay up most of the night studying. If she is going to lose, at least she is going to put every ounce of effort into trying to win and not just roll over and go down without a fight.
The next day the nerds are called to the fountain area for their challenge. Each nerd has their calculated number written down for each size object to be dropped. For each correct answer, 1 point is awarded. Incorrect answers will result in a deduction of points based on how far off their answer is to the correct one.
Test “A” is a 14 foot tower with a 6 pound ball dropped onto 1/4 inch thick glass spaced 3 inches apart. Danielle and Ivan have calculated 5 panes of glass will be broken, Celeste and Genevieve have calculated 4 panes, and Moogega has calculated 3 panes. The ball is dropped and 5 panes of glass are broken. Danielle and Ivan each have 1 pont. Celeste and Genevieve each have -1 point. Moogega has – 2 points.
Test “B” is an 8 pound ball suspended 76 inches above 1/4 inch thick glass spaced 6 inches apart. Danielle and Moogega have calculated 2 panes of glass will be broken, Celeste, Genevieve, and Ivan have calculated 3 panes. The ball is dropped and 2 panes of glass are broken. Danielle now leads with 2 points. Ivan drops to 0 points. Moogega increases to -1 point. Celeste and Genevieve drop to -2 points.
Danielle WINS!
Danielle wins immunity and the 4 who lost must vote one of themselves into the Nerd Off. Here is the twist, Danielle will select one of the 4 to go into the Nerd Off as well.
Moogega actually volunteers to go into the Nerd Off so she can make up for the embarrassing loss she took in the challenge. Danielle thinks Genevieve is the biggest threat so she chooses her to go against Moogega. Since the Nerd Off’s are usually similar to the challenges this may be Genevieve’s last day at Nerdvana.
Moogega and Genevieve are told they have 2 hours to prepare and build the tallest free-standing structure possible. Both nerds prepare by stacking various objects around the house. At the beginning of the Nerd Off, both contestants are told they will be assembling a free-standing tower using various nerdy objects. Those objects are an assortment of books, calculators, gaming consoles, VHS tapes, and Rubik’s Cubes along with a variety of other nerdy things. The first one to build their tower to a height of 10 feet within a 10 minute time frame will win. If neither nerd accomplishes 10 feet, then the one with the tallest tower at the end of 10 minutes will be declared the victor.
Both competitors start off strong and it appears Moogega has some competition, Genevieve is assembling her tower quickly. Moogega attempts to shoot Genevieve’s tower with a Nerf gun to cause it to fall, but fails in doing so and unfortunately the wind actually blows over Moogega’s tower. Moogega obviously has never played Jenga; some of her stacking techniques leave you to question her engineering background. Genevieve has her tower close to the 10 foot mark, but it is very unstable so she begins removing some of the structure to make it more secure. Moogega is beginning to catch back up to Genevieve and is making it an interesting competition. Time is called at the end of 10 minutes and the towers are close in height but it is Genevieve who is declared the winner. It may be a good thing that Moogega is a mechanical engineer and not a structural engineer.
Moogega must now go home as a result. Hopefully her colleagues at NASA will not be too hard on her. The remaining competitors in the house must be really frightened by Genevieve at this point. Genevieve has been voted into the Nerd Off 3 times and she has come out victorious all 3 times. Even though she is not my favorite she has proven herself to be a fierce competitor and the odds are stacked heavily in her favor to win.
