The Learning Grid

The K’Nex Challenge is a fun design and build construction competition open to classes of primary children of all abilities.

Pupils work in pairs to produce a specific design solution for a real-life problem such as building a bridge, carrying a load or demonstrating a mechanism. The challenge allows their imagination, creativity, and ingenuity to run wild and many absolutely fantastic models are seen every year.

There are four levels in the competition.

• The K’Nexperimentor – Schools Challenge
• The K’Nexplorer – Area Challenge
• The K’Nextronaut – Regional Final
• The K’Nexpert – National Final

From one level to the next, pupils’ ability is stretched through learning new skills and going through more difficult challenges as they move up to K’Nexpert level. Area, regional and national final activities are judged by engineers who give useful feedback and enable the best teams to progress to the next level.

A K’Nex group can run the challenge in schools or specific training can be provided for primary teachers from local area organisers. Some challenges are run by secondary school teachers specially trained in teaching their feeder primary schools. The challenges are curriculum linked and can assist teachers to deliver aspects of their syallabus.

The national final takes place in July each year. There are many prizes available for winners including unique handmade trophies for successful teams, not to mention substantial prize money for the schools of winning teams and runners up. Every pupil who reaches the national final receives fantastic K’Nex prizes and all participating pupils receive a certificate.

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