K'nex Design Challenge

Rules and Criteria

1. Team Composition

   • A maximum of 4 students per team may work together on the project.
      

2. Materials

   • Teams may use up to 1,400 K’Nex pieces.

   • Any type of K’Nex piece is permitted.

   • String, tape, and rubber bands are also allowed.

   • Each team must use at least one motor in their project.

   • Water may not be used as part of the display.
      

3. Supplies

   • Schools are responsible for bringing their own K’Nex pieces to the competition.

   • Each team must bring a journal and a blueprint to the competition.
      

4. Time Limit

   • Teams will have 2 hours to build their project at the competition.
      

5. Presentation Requirements

   • Each team must prepare a presentation of up to 2 minutes about their model and how they addressed the challenge.

   • Middle school teams must also present an inventory of their materials.
      

6. Project Specifications

   • Projects must fit on a 6-foot-long table.

Design Notebook

The Design Notebook should serve as a journal of the team’s progress from start to finish, documenting brainstorming, testing, revisions, and final decisions.

Included elements of the Engineering Design Process:

• Identify the problem

  • Research and gather information

  • Brainstorm and plan possible solutions

  • Develop and sketch designs

  • Build, test, and evaluate prototypes

  • Redesign and improve

  • Share final solution
     

• Record dates, meeting notes, sketches, and reflections to show growth and teamwork.

• Judges will be looking for evidence of iteration—how the team learned from mistakes and improved ideas.

• Resources for Design Notebooks: sample templates, online journals, and examples from past projects.

Blueprint

• A blueprint is a technical drawing or design plan for a project. It should communicate the team’s intended design clearly and accurately.
   

• For the STEM Design Challenge, blueprints may include:

  • Hand-drawn sketches (labeled and neat)

  • CAD (computer-aided design) drawings

  • Online design tools or digital sketches

  • Photos of 3D mockups with explanations
     

• Be creative and clear: the blueprint should show dimensions, proportions, and key features of the design.
   

• Consider including multiple views (top, side, and perspective) for clarity.
   

• Resources for blueprint ideas: CAD tutorials, free online sketching software, and past student blueprint samples.

Prototype

• The prototype should be a working model that demonstrates the team’s solution to the challenge.

• Teams must use only K’Nex pieces for the main construction.

• Optional: teams may add a backdrop, scenery, or artwork, but these will not be judged and should not distract from the prototype itself.

• Prototypes should be functional, not just decorative—show how the design actually works.

• Teams should be prepared to demonstrate or explain the prototype’s features to judges.

Presentation

• Teams will deliver a short presentation (2 minutes or less) explaining their project to the judges.

• Presentations should cover:

  • The challenge/problem

  • The team’s design process and decision-making

  • The prototype and how it solves the challenge

• Every student must speak during the presentation. Roles can be divided (e.g., one for process, one for blueprint, one for prototype).

• Judges may ask follow-up questions, so teams should practice answering clearly and confidently.

• Visual aids (slides, posters, or holding up the prototype) are optional but can help.