About 80 first-year engineering students are about to find out as the university hosts a "Mousemobile" competition on Saturday, Dec. 16, at 11 a.m. If it's sunny, the competition will take place in the courtyard in the center of the Engineering Building. If it rains, the contest will take place in the Engineering Auditorium. Both are located in the center of the campus at 18111 Nordhoff St., Northridge.

"The purpose of the project is to introduce new engineering students to the complete engineering design process," said Bonita Campbell, professor of civil and manufacturing engineering. "Their goal is to come up with an idea while working with limited resources, with other students and develop a product that will actually work. It'll give them a taste of what's ahead of them as well as give the students a chance to get to know each other and establish a sense of community."

The students were divided into approximately 20 teams and were given the task of creating a new toy product called the "Mousemobile." Each team was supposed to design, develop, manufacture and test a spring-loaded power system for the toy.

The hitch is that the spring power system comes from a standard mousetrap, which is in a basic equipment kit supplied by the university.

What the students came up with will be run through a final series of tests on Dec. 16.

To qualify for the competition, the "Mousemobiles" must be powered by one spring or portion of a spring from the mousetraps supplied. The spring must be mounted on the vehicles, and other springs or power sources cannot be substituted or added. Each "Mousemobile" must also have an electrical system that provides lights for the vehicle.

The "Mousemobiles" must be able to travel five feet on a smooth, flat surface in one motion; move up a 15-degree incline a distance of two feet; travel an average speed of two feet a minute; travel with its lights turned on; must have three wheels on the surface at all times; and have an attractive body design.

On Dec. 16, the "Mousemobiles" will be judged on their overall design; the 10-foot dash; the "Mousemobile Marathon"; the hill climb; the use of lights and appearance; and the speed to weight ratio.

"It should be a lot of fun, and the students are encouraged to bring their family and friends to the competition," Campbell said. "That's why it's being held on a Saturday."