K'Nex
KS2 to 4 Design Technology Challenge
What year group(s) is it suitable for? Key Stage 2,3 & 4
How many students can take part? Up to 60 students working in groups of 3 or 4.
How long does the workshop last? This is a morning-long workshop running between the start of the day and the school's lunchtime.
How much space do we need? Use of the school hall or a similar space is required for a full group.
Any other requirements? Students may work from the floor or from tables. Some versions of this activity require access to plug sockets
This challenging activity has been designed to add context and enjoyment to design/technology curriculum, and to help develop creative, technical and practical expertise, as well as encouraging good teamwork, working to time constraints and manual dexterity.
Students work in small groups to design and make a model, to a topical brief set by the facilitator, using K’Nex components. The team considered to have worked the hardest, and whose model has performed the best, will be declared the winners. A small prize is awarded to each member of the winning team.
Popular topics include wind-powered vehicles, cable cars, bridges, towers and fairground rides. Other topics can be considered if given notice.
What teachers and students are saying:
"The children really enjoyed it and found the whole experience valuable. The element of team work and communication was particularly useful for this cohort."
"I liked having to figure out how to do it ourselves"
"It was amazing to see children that won't usually engage in group work participating fully in the workshop."
"I don't have K'nex at home so I liked it today and I'm going ask mum for some. I like the working in a team bit."
"It was fantastic. Very inspiring. Hands-on and enjoyable."
"The STEM workshops are a perfect enrichment opportunity in school and the children both love and benefit from them."
"Students particularly enjoyed this - it was also well adapted for different ability levels because every student did not have to be on the same challenge at once."
"It was really hard to get it to go back up but we had a really good time"
"It showed me what it might be like to be an engineer"