Young Engineer K'NEX Cluster Challenge 2011

Article posted: 7 December 2010

* Closing date for applications is the 20th January 2011

Global Science l are pleased to announce the Young Engineers K'Nex Cluster Challenge for 2011. This annual competition is a chance for pupils to compete at various levels, from within their own school, right up to the grand National Final.

The Challenge

The competition has a number of levels; School, Cluster, Area, Regional, National Final. Each level of the competition involves pupils working in teams of two to demonstrate their imagination, creativity and ingenuity by designing and making a model, using K'Nex, which solves a set challenge. The Challenge will usually last 1 to 2 hours. Each level has different fun challenges set by Young Engineers and the judging criteria include categories such as communication, design, problem solving and visual appeal. The overall winning team at each level will be invited to the next level of the competition.

Who can enter?

Working within their Clusters (or learning communities), the competition is open to all Primary 6 pupils, with the support of their local secondary school. Primary schools must liaise with other schools in their cluster and submit one entry per cluster to take part.

How does the Competition work?

Each Primary school will hold a Classroom Challenge for its P6 pupils during the time between January and March 2011. Winning teams from these schools then compete at the Cluster Level Challenge to be held by mid April, usually hosted by the secondary school. The secondary can, if it wishes, provide senior pupils to act as mentors and judges for this event. The winning team from this level then competes at the Area Final in May to represent the Cluster. Winners from each of the Area Finals will compete at the Scottish Final in June 2011 and then go on to the UK Final.

How do teachers know what to do?

Training material will be available on our website so teachers can download and work through it at their own pace. Please refer to Challenge 2011 Downloads. If they prefer teachers are welcome to organise a session for all the teachers in their cluster to work through the material together. In addition STEM Ambassadors are available to help teachers run and judge challenges.

Schools who have kits can get started right away and The Challenge and marking sheets will be provided along with certificates. Schools who require kits should make their request as soon as possible but the time the kits are on loan will be agreed in advance.

Schools requiring Kits and assistance should contact Frank McKeever as soon as possible.

Please send an email with your details and requirements to: frank.mckeever@global-science.net if you would like an ambassador to help in your school.

See our webpage for more information on the STEM Ambassador programme.

How does your Cluster apply?

To enter for the competition, all schools (including the secondary) within a cluster must liaise and discuss if they wish to take part. Note that not all schools in the cluster need to participate in order for the cluster to apply, but each school must be consulted to establish if they want to be involved or not. Closing date for applications is January 2011.

We will only accept ONE APPLICATION FORM PER CLUSTER

One application form must be submitted on behalf of the cluster in order to take part in the K'Nex Challenge. Each cluster must appoint a nominated person who could be, for example, the EEO officer or local EDO contact. This nominated person will complete and send the booking form on the Cluster's behalf, receive communication about the Challenge as it progresses and be responsible for liaison within the Cluster. Please ensure you communicate within your cluster to find out who will send in the application form.

If you experience problems liaising with schools in your cluster please contact us and we will try and provide support in getting your cluster together.

More Information?

For more information on the Young Engineer K'Nex Cluster Challenge please contact:
Global Science on 01324 403103 or Heather Thomson on 01224 454000 who will be happy to answer any questions. or email heather.thomson@globalweb.co.uk

We look forward to you taking part in this year's exciting competition!

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Downloads

Teacher Training Material - Power Point Presentation
Pupils Worksheets - for use in intial training
Teachers Worksheets - for use in initial training
Winner and Runner up Faxback Form
Example Classroom Challenge - for use in the Classroom Challenge
Example Judging Sheet - for use in the Classroom Challenge
Certificate Template for Winners -for use in the Cluster Challenge
Certificate Template for Participants -for use in the Cluster Challenge

Useful K'NEX Related Websites

General K'NEX

www.knex.com manufacturers website including designs by K'NEXperts, photo galleries and details of all available K'NEX products

www.knexusergroup.org excellent website including handy hints section and 20 challenges.

www.balmoralsoftware.com/knex/knex.htm Scott's Design Gallery

www.g6cqb.freeserve.co.uk/knex.htm Peter and Ian's K'NEX Gallery

http://home.wanadoo.nl/dark.link/home.htm Martins K'NEX Homepage

www.ai.mit.edu/people/naha/knex/knex.html Don't be put of by some of the complicated accompanying text. Excellent pictures detailing different aspects of K'NEX

Bridges

www.ketchum.org a nice site to see photos of a number of different bridges which Mark Ketchum has worked on

http://travel.howstuffworks.com/bridge.htm a basic introduction of how bridges work and description of the different designs.

Pulleys

http://travel.howstuffworks.com/pulley.htm a basic description of how pulleys work

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