K'NEX - Competition Support

• Look at the K'Nex pieces, see how many ways they can be joined together, try slotting the connectors on to the rods as well as connecting them at the ends.
• The blue connectors fit together to form a 'star' shape which allows rods to be connected at any angle.
• The purple connectors join together to form a flat bottomed half 'star' shape, this is especially good at forming a base at the bottom of a construction.
• The blue connectors can connect with the purple connector.
• The little tan clip connects with the wheel / pulleys to lock a rod in place, it is especially good when making an axle for a wheel.
• Generally shorter rods and more connectors means a stronger structure.
• Ensure you build supports into any structure to enable the model to be strong.
• Practice pulley systems - at some point in the challenge you will need to know how to build a mechanism.
• Practice building a gearing mechanism using cogs, then fit it into a model so that it turns something - often the hardest part is not making the gears but fitting them into the model and making sure it works!
• Conside how to make a model strong and sturdy.
• Check whether you have met all the criteria of the challenge.
• Think about including your own unique ideas into the model, be creative, use your imagination!
• Look at your model, does it do what it is supposed to, is it strong, does it have moving parts? Will it fall apart?
• Practice, practice, practice! The more you understand how K'Nex fits together the easier it will be to build fantastic working models.
• If you get stuck ask for help, don't panic, remember this is FUN!
• Have a look at the photos below, they show how K'Nex fits together and can give you some ideas!

(©2010 Young Engineers)

There are three judging criteria which the judges use to award points, they are:
   
    Presentation, Communication & Teamwork (Max Points 20)
    Poor 1-5; Average 6-12; Good 13-17; Excellent 18-20
    Do they have drawings they can show, were they made before,
    during or after they started to build?
    How well did the team communicate about their design
    Do they play to their individual strengths and use them to make a
    good team?
    Do they work well together?
 
    Problem Solving (Max Points 25)
    Poor 1-5; Average 6-12; Good 13-17; Excellent 18-20
    Discuss the problems the pupils encountered during the design
    & construction stages of the model.
    Did they overcome the problems methodically & analytically?
    Have they shown a clear understanding of how to problem solve?
    Did they work together on solving them?

    Operation, Function & Design (Max Points 60)
    Poor 1-14; Average 15-29; Good; 30-45; Excellent 46-60
    Have the pupils built an effective model that performs as specified in
    the brief?
    Does it perform its intended function competently, could it be improved?
    Is there a clear reason as to what function each part of the model is?
    Have they included any novel ideas in the design of their model?
    Is their model sophisticated; Does it have moving parts?

Review your overall impression of the model, is it visually appealing? Please note that the above judging criteria is subject to copywrite, it may be used only for the Young Engineers competition - Junior Engineers for Britain K'Nex Challenge. Companies wishing to use in whole or part for other purposes must first seek permission of Young Engineers.

Practice for the challenge by:

• Having a go at some of our previous K'Nex challenges. 
  
• Two examples are shown below!Join the Young Engineers Club network to gain access to the Activity Bank which contains these and many other fun engineering activities.

• JEB 2004 Area Challenge PDF Challenge Example
  
• JEB 2005 Area Challenge PDF Challenge Example
  

Please note both challenges are copywrite protected and may not be used for any purpose other than the Young Engineers competition - Junior Engineers for Britain K'Nex Challenge.

Photos of K'Nex