The CSIU is one of 20 intermediate units statewide that hosts a K’Nex STEM Design Challenge, funded by Thermo Fisher Scientific.

 

Teams of students participate in a two-hour Face2Face competition where they design, develop and implement a solution to an engineering problem. 

 

The winning team advances to the state competition being held in May.

 

 

Major environmental issues, including climate change and pollution, are currently facing our world. Your team is being tasked to research environmental issues, identify one that your team would like to address, and create a solution to that issue. Build a prototype out of K’Nex that supports your solution.

Rules:
• A team of 4 students (maximum) will work together on the project.
• Teams may use up to 1400 pieces. Any pieces, as long as they are K’Nex, may be used. String, tape, and rubber bands are permitted.
• Schools must bring their K’Nex pieces on the day of the competition.
• Students will have 2 hours to put together their project at the competition.
• Each team will need to bring a design notebook and blueprint to the competition.
• Each team will need to prepare a presentation (max 2 minutes) on their model and how they answered the challenge. Middle school students will also need to present their inventory.
• Projects must fit on a 6-foot-long table. Water may not be used as part of the display.

Judging Criteria: 
• Creativity
• Teamwork
• Challenge Success
• Design
• Presentation

Awards: 
• Awards will be given to top three teams in grades 4-5 and grades 6-8
• The 1st place team in each division (grades 4-5 and grades 6-8) at each Intermediate Unit regional competition will advance to the state competition.

Parts of the competition:

Design Notebook 
• This should be a journal of the team’s progress from start to finish.
• The Notebook should include elements of the Engineering Design Process.
• Resources for Design Notebooks

Blueprint 
• A blueprint is a technical drawing or design plan for a project. It is used to represent the final product.
• Blueprints for the STEM Design Challenge can be a photo, drawing, cad drawing, online sketch, etc. Be creative!
• Resources for blueprint ideas

Prototype 
• Teams will answer the challenge by creating a prototype of their idea using only K'nex pieces.
• Teams may include a backdrop or artwork, but judges will not consider this in their scoring.

Presentation 
• Teams are asked to share their ideas in a presentation for the judges.
• Each presentation will be 2 minutes or less.
• Every student on the team should present.
• Judges may ask questions of the team after the presentation.

Scoring Rubrics
Teams may use this rubric of the judging criteria while preparing their projects.

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