K'NEX in the Classroom
K'NEX is a dynamic, open-ended spatial building system. We offer exceptional educational value through building and bringing models to life.
K'NEX sets work so well in the classroom that we've designed an entire contest around them: the K'NEXpert Classroom Challenge.
The K'NEXpert Classroom Challenge...
Excite students' interest and motivates them to learn.
Challenges students to apply an organized, logical strategy as they design, build and problem-solve.
Encourages students to use acquired science, technology, engineering and math knowledge and skills.
Inspires creativity and team-work.
Help students to relate concepts to the world they live in.
Fun Educational Prizes...
Each 2012 K'NEXpert Classroom Challenge Award Winner will receive:
$350 K'NEX Education shopping spree
FREE K'NEX building set for each child. ($20 value)
Registration for the 2012 K'NEXpert Classroom Challenge is closed. Please check back in April to see the winning models and classrooms.
Already registered? Complete entry form and upload here!
Students build an original K'NEX model that qualifies in the appropriate Building Challenge Category listed below
Grades 1&2:
Your town has been overrun by hungry K'NEX mice who are eating everything they can get their paws on. We have found a nice new home for them in the country, but first we need your help to catch them. Build a mousetrap that can catch your K'NEX mouse without hurting it. Our K'NEX Mouse is 6.5" L x 3" H x 2.5" W. Your mousetrap must be large enough to hold the K'NEX mouse you have built. What makes the mouse want to go into to trap? How does your mousetrap capture the mouse? How will you set him free in the country?
Submit a picture or video of your K'NEX mouse in the mousetrap and a one page description of what research you did to learn about mice and to determine how to build a mousetrap.
Grades 3&4:
Build a vehicle that will securely hold an 18.8 oz can of soup and travel down a three-foot long ramp. Test your car on the ramp with and without the soup can. Does the vehicle travel farther across the floor at the bottom of the ramp with the soup can or without? Why? Using the K'NEX cost per piece chart, determine the materials cost to build your vehicle, make a chart that shows the number of individual K'NEX parts used and the cost per piece. Be sure to include your vehicles total cost.
Submit a picture or video of your vehicle, traveling down the ramp, along with a one page description of the research you conducted to determine how you would design and build your vehicle, the test results and why you feel the vehicle performed the way it did as well as your data chart showing the material cost of your vehicle.
Donate your can of soup to a food drive or food bank.
Grades 5&6:
Design a swing ride that will hold 20 riders on individual seats. The cost is $2.50 per rider. Describe how much money your ride will make in an eight hour day if you know the ride will operate 12 times each hour and you know that on average 80% of the seats will be filled each time the ride operates. Using the K'NEX Cost Per Piece Chart, determine the material cost to build your Swing Ride and how many days of operation it will take to pay for the ride. Make a chart that shows the number of individual K'NEX parts used and the cost per piece. Be sure to include your vehicles total cost.
Submit a picture or video of your swing ride and a one page description of the research you conducted to determine how you would design and build your swing ride. Also include a data chart showing the material cost for your vehicle and how many days of operation it will take to pay for the ride.
Read the Official Rules and Entry Form for full details. All entries and submitted materials become the property of K'NEX.
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY!
Need help finding the perfect K'NEX Education
Set for your class?
Use our easy to use
Product Matrix Guide.
