YOUNG ENGINEER FOR BRITAIN K’NEX CLUSTER CHALLENGE 2011 Teacher Training Material

1. YOUNG ENGINEER FOR BRITAIN K’NEX CLUSTER CHALLENGE 2011 Teacher Training Material

2. AGENDA • Introduction • K'NEX workshop • How to run a Cluster Challenge • K'NEX Kit

3. Young Engineer for Britain K’NEX Challenge • UK Wide Competition (~60,000 pupils compete annually) • STEM SCOTLAND organise Scottish part – Global Science organise the East of Scotland region • Aimed at Primary 6 pupils • Working in teams of 2, pupils are set a Challenge where they have to make a model using K’NEX kits to demonstrate their imagination, creativity and ingenuity • 5 Levels of participation, best team progress to next level, each level getting more difficult

7. The Cluster Challenge Year Planner

8. Summary Of K’NEX 2011 • Level 1 CLASSROOM WORKSHOP • P6 teacher delivers workshop to class • Class split into teams of 2 to do Classroom Challenge • Select winning primary school team • Level 2 CLUSTER CHALLENGE • Winning Primary school teams compete in Cluster Challenge, ideally hosted by the secondary school. • Cluster Challenge Winning team will represent the cluster at the Area Final (May 2011)

9. Summary Of K'NEX 2011 • Level 3 Area Final (May 2011) • All winning Cluster Teams take part in Area Final • Level 4 Scottish Final (June 2011) • Winning teams from Scottish Area Finals compete at Scottish Final • Level 5 UK Final • Scottish Winning team competes at UK Final

10. K’NEX P6 CLASSROOM WORKSHOP

11. 3 WAYS TO USE K’NEX • INSTRUCTIONS: build models following step-by-step instructions. • FREE PLAY: children build any kind of model they wish without instruction • CHALLENGES: children are set an objective, then use their innovation and problem solving skills to design and build a model to meet this objective. Encourage pupils to work together to develop team-working skills.

12. SAND RACER • The workshop is based on a set of increasingly complex challenges to provide pupils with the necessary skills to effectively use K'NEX and participate in the competition.

13. TRIANGLE

14. CREATE YOUR OWN INITIALS

15. CONSTRUCT A CUBE

16. BUILD A BRIDGE

17. PULLEYS – simple machines

18. PULLEYS - block and tackle

19. HOW TO RUN A CHALLENGE WITHIN YOUR CLUSTER

20. CLUSTER CHALLENGE OBJECTIVE • To provide a team of 2 pupils from each cluster group to attend the Area Final in May.

21. 1st Step - CLASSROOM WORKSHOP (duration approx. 1hr) • Teacher and pupil versions of the worksheets are provided to run the workshop in the classroom • Use workshop to develop basic practical skills • Recommend organising a mini-challenge as basis for team selection (bridge or K'NEX User Group website) • Looking for practical ability, creativity, innovation, problem solving and team working skills

22. POSSIBLE CLASSROOM CHALLENGE bridge building exercise or Challenge on website

23. Example of CHALLENGE ‘Playground Equipment” challenge. • Build a piece of playground equipment; fairly easy but allows you to assess who can do it!

25. JUDGING GUIDELINES – Level 1 1.  Presentation, Communication and Teamwork: communication, planning and drawings (25 points) 2.  Solving Problems: overcome design problems (25) 3.   Operation/Function and Design: Does model function competently? Any novel design features? (50)

26. CLUSTER CHALLENGE • Winning teams from all P6 classroom challenges will take part in their associated cluster challenge. If there are few primaries in the cluster then could have 2 teams per primary (or even 3) competing. • Venue would ideally be the associated secondary school. • Need a sponsor from secondary to ensure all runs smoothly • Date and venue of cluster challenge to be decided amongst participants.

27. ROLE OF SECONDARY SCHOOL • Help organise and host cluster challenge. • Provide pupil volunteers to work with primary schools prior to competition and/or assist on the day. • Assistance from secondary science or technology studies teachers (organise, set challenge and judge). • Select the challenge from options on website / design your own. • Provide judges (teachers or senior pupils)

28. ONCE CLUSTER CHALLENGE IS DECIDED • Need co-ordinator or nominated person to complete “Cluster Challenge” Form and return to us at least ONE WEEK before Challenge takes place • On receipt of form we will send you Challenge Pack with • Cluster Challenge • Judging Sheet • Certificates • Prizes for winning team

29. Global Science can provide a Challenge for your Cluster Challenge • Needs to be kept a secret from all primaries until the day of the Challenge – hence not included on the web! • We will send you Cluster Challenge in your pack, you can decide to use it or not.

31. CLUSTER CHALLENGE • Challenge to be planned, designed and completed within 1 hour. • Teams need paper and pencil to draw design first • Entries are judged in accordance with competition guidelines • Participants / Winners are presented with certificates • Winners presented with prizes

32. JUDGING GUIDELINES – Level 2 As per Level 1 1. Presentation, Communication and Teamwork 2. Solving Problems Splits 3. Operation/Function 4. Design Added category: 5. Visual Appeal

33. Once Cluster Challenge is complete • Send faxback form to Global Science with details of winning / runner up team (form included on website) before the end of April 2011. • The winning team will represent their cluster in the appropriate area final.

34. K’NEX KIT for doing Challenges • Level 3 Area Finals will use 1500 piece kits (supplied) • For your Classroom and Cluster challenges, 450 piece kits are sufficient. A team of 2 pupils can easily work out of a 450 piece kit box. • Schools are welcome to use their own kits at school and cluster level • We can loan kits to a cluster but rotation between schools must be organised and rotated by cluster • All kit boxes must be signed out and returned by agreed date

35. Summary of Forms required • Cluster Challenge Booking form, from nominated cluster contact, at least one week before challenge takes place • Winners/Runners Up faxback form from nominated cluster contact, after cluster challenge has taken place

36. Contact: East of Scotland: Frank McKeever on 01324 403 103 Email: frank.mckeever@global-science.net Fax: 01324 403 108