K’NEX Training and Events
Accredited Training Courses
The training is suitable for all kinds of representatives; teachers, non-teaching staff, family learning practitioners, club leaders, leaders of childcare schemes, home educators, post-16 tutors, governors; PTA reps and other educators from all kinds of schools (primary, secondary, special, PRUs) and community organisations. Students 14 and over can also attend and be accredited.
OCN Accreditation
OCN Credit Levels |
Skill Level |
Broadly Equivalent to the level of study required for the following examples |
Level One |
The consolidation of existing skills and the introduction of new skills, competences and areas of learning |
GCSE grade D-G |
Level Two |
The extension and application of skills and competences and the introduction of independent learning techniques |
GCSE grade A*-C |
K’NEX Hands on Numeracy and Science OCN Level 2 (optional)
This accreditation will train teachers, tutors and other educators how to use the K’NEX construction kit to help children to develop Numeracy and Science skills across the curriculum.
The learner will:
- Receive PowerPoint presentations on ‘KNEX in Numeracy’ ‘K’NEX in Science’
- Receive a free K’NEX Education Kit to enable them to put learnt techniques into practice (optional at extra cost)
- Build K’NEX models from instruction cards
- Complete K’NEX challenges demonstrating Numeracy and Science skills.
Learners will acquire the following knowledge, understanding and skills: 
- Understanding of K’NEX construction kit.
- Understanding of numeracy.
- Understanding of shape, space and measure.
- Understanding of data handling.
- Understanding of forces.
- Understanding of motion.
- Understanding of sources of energy.
- Improved creativity skills and problem-solving skills.
K’NEX Hands on Learning for Tutors OCN Level 2 (optional)
This accreditation will train teachers, tutors and other educators how to use the K’NEX construction kit to help children to develop:
- a better understanding of technology, science and numeracy, and
- improved creativity skills and problem-solving skills.
The learner will:
- Receive PowerPoint presentations on ‘KNEX in Numeracy’ ‘K’NEX in Science’
- Receive a free K’NEX Education Kit to enable them to put learnt techniques into practice (optional at extra cost)
- Build K’NEX models from instruction cards
- Complete K’NEX challenges demonstrating Numeracy and Science skills.
Learners will acquire the following knowledge, understanding and skills:
- Understanding of K’NEX construction kit.
- Understanding of numeracy.
- Understanding of shape, space and measure.
- Understanding of data handling.
- Understanding of forces.
- Understanding of motion.
- Understanding of sources of energy.
- Improved creativity skills and problem-solving skills.
K’NEX Hands on Learning for Bridge Building OCN Level 2
This accreditation will train teachers, tutors and other educators how to use the K’NEX construction kit to help children to develop skills across the curriculum through bridge building.
The learner will:
- Receive PowerPoint presentations on ‘KNEX in Education’ and ‘K’NEX in Bridge Building’
- Receive a free K’NEX Education Kit to enable them to put learnt techniques into practice (optional at extra cost)
- Build K’NEX models from instruction cards
- Complete K’NEX challenges demonstrating bridge building, team work, science, engineering and construction skills.
Learners will acquire the following knowledge, understanding and skills:
- Understanding of K’NEX construction kit.
- Understanding of engineering
- Understanding of design and technology
- Understanding of stages of construction
- Understanding of forces.
- Understanding of motion.
- Improved creativity skills and problem-solving skills.
All three courses give delegates the qualification to deliver OCN Level 1 in K’NEX Numeracy, Science and Technology to learners 14 years and over or Karen Routledge Limited can be bought into to deliver these for you.
K’NEX Technology OCN Level 1
Learners will build models from the K’NEX construction kit to help them to better understand the technology of everyday life, including structures and simple machines.
The learner will start by gaining familiarity with the K’NEX construction kit, by building two simple working models from instruction cards (e.g. seesaw, swing). The learner will then complete a series of nine "challenges", in which they must build a K’NEX model of an everyday structure or simple machine, without instructions (e.g. house, tower, bridge, crash helmet, car, roundabout, baby buggy, mousetrap, crane).
Learners will acquire the following knowledge, understanding and skills:
1. Understanding of the K’NEX construction kit.
2. Ability to work from instruction cards.
3. Understanding of basic structures (eg house, bridge, tower).
4. Understanding of simple machines (eg seesaw, swing, roundabout, crane).
5. Enhanced problem-solving skills.
6. Enhanced creativity skills.
K’NEX Numeracy OCN Level 1
Learners will complete ten one-hour model-building sessions using the K’NEX construction kit, to help them to better understand numeracy, shape, space, measure and handling data in the numeracy core curriculum.
The learner will complete ten K’NEX model-building sessions last one hour, working from instruction cards. Each session will cover one or more aspects of the numeracy curriculum (eg counting, patterns and relationships, fractions, squares, cubes, estimating, equations, costing, 2-D shapes, 3-D shapes, nets, angles, segments, congruence, similarity, rotation, reflection, symmetry, areas, volumes, rulers, weighing, compasses, clock faces, sundials, dice, spinners, tables and bar charts).
Learners will acquire the following knowledge, understanding and skills:
1. Understanding of K’NEX construction kit.
2. Ability to work from instruction cards.
3. Understanding of numeracy.
4. Understanding of shape, space and measure.
5. Understanding of data handling.
K’NEX Science OCN Level 1
Learners will build ten models from the K’NEX construction kit to help them to better understand the science of everyday life, including forces, motion and sources of energy.
The learner will complete ten working K’NEX models from instruction cards. Each model will demonstrate a different aspect of forces, energy and motion (eg weighing scales, wheelbarrow, steering wheel, battery powered car, rubber band-powered car, windmill, waterwheel, food mixer, exercise bicycle, block and tackle).
Learners will acquire the following knowledge, understanding and skills:
1. Understanding of K’NEX construction kit.
2. Ability to work from instruction cards.
3. Understanding of forces.
4. Understanding of motion.
5. Understanding of sources of energy.
Training Courses - Non-accredited
Getting Started with K'NEX and Kid K'NEX
Purpose: To help first-time educational users of K'NEX and/or Kid K'NEX master the basic techniques. Who is it for: Anyone planning to use K'NEX and/or Kid K'NEX for educational purposes, including teachers, classroom support staff, club leaders and staff, family learning practitioners, post-16 educators and volunteers. Prior knowledge required: No prior experience with K’NEX is required, and you definitely do not need to be "good at technology"!
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Content: The workshop can be delivered in a 90-minute or in a half-day format. Each delegate will receive a copy of the workshop slides. A typical agenda is as follows:
1. Presentation - Introduction to K'NEX and Kid K'NEX
2. Practical session - Simple K'NEX and Kid K'NEX models.
3. Presentation - Educational uses of K'NEX.
4. Practical session - A simple K'NEX challenge.
Practical sessions: Delegates will work in small groups for the practical sessions, which are designed to be light-hearted and enjoyable as well being informative.
Using Kid K'NEX with 3-7 year olds
Purpose: To demonstrate how Kid K'NEX can be used to help children aged 3 to 7 develop skills and experience relevant to Early Years and Key Stage 1. Who is it for: Anyone working with children aged 3 to 7, including teachers, NNEBs, classroom assistants, playgroup leaders, club leaders, playscheme staff and family learning practitioners. Prior knowledge required: No prior experience with Kid K’NEX is required, and you definitely do not need to be "good at technology"! Content: The workshop can be delivered in a half-day or full-day format. Each delegate will receive a copy of the workshop slides. A typical agenda is as follows: |
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1. Presentation - Using Kid K'NEX with 3 to 7 year olds
2. Practical session - Building Kid K'NEX models from instruction cards
3. Presentation - Ideas for teacher-led free play with Kid K'NEX
4. Practical session - Teacher-led free play with Kid K'NEX.
Practical sessions: Delegates will work in small groups for the practical sessions, which are designed to be light-hearted and enjoyable as well being informative.
K'NEX in children's clubs & childcare schemes
Purpose: To help organisations who run children's clubs, playschemes and summer camps learn how the K'NEX construction kit can assist them to meet their learning objectives.
Who is it for: Anyone running or working at a children's club or childcare scheme, including after-school clubs, cubs, brownies, beavers, rainbows, science clubs, playschemes, summer camps, etc.
Prior knowledge required: No prior experience with K’NEX is required, and you definitely do not need to be "good at technology"!
Content: The workshop can be delivered in a half-day or full-day format. Each delegate will receive a copy of the workshop slides. A typical agenda is as follows:
1. Presentation - Why use K'NEX in children's clubs & childcare schemes?
2. Practical session - A simple K'NEX challenge.
3. Presentation - Managing K'NEX challenges in clubs & childcare schemes.
4. Practical session - Techniques and Handy Hints
5. Questions and answers.
Practical sessions: Delegates will work in small groups for the practical sessions, which are designed to be light-hearted and enjoyable as well being informative.
Building Bridges with K'NEX
Purpose: To demonstrate how K'NEX can be used for building bridges
to meet the needs of the Design & Technology curriculum at Key
Stages 1, 2 and 3.
Who is it for: All teachers and support staff at Key Stage 2, and Design & Technology teachers and support staff at Key Stage 3.
Prior knowledge required: No prior experience with K’NEX
is required, and you definitely do not need to be "good at technology"!
Content: The workshop can be delivered in a 90-minute or
half-day format. Each delegate will receive a copy of the workshop slides. A typical agenda is as follows:
1. Presentation - An introduction to building bridges with K'NEX.
2. Practical session - A K'NEX truss bridge from instructions.
3. Presentation - Using the K'NEX "Introduction to Structures: Bridges" set.
4. Practical session - Reinforcing your K'NEX Bridge.
Practical sessions: Delegates will work in small groups for the practical sessions, which are designed to be light-hearted and enjoyable as well being informative.
Building Machines with K'NEX
Purpose: To demonstrate how K'NEX can be used for building simple machines, so as to meet the needs of the Design & Technology curriculum at Key Stages 2 and 3.
Who is it for: All teachers and support staff at Key Stage 2, and Design & Technology teachers and support staff at Key Stage 3.
Prior knowledge required: No prior experience with K’NEX is required, and you definitely do not need to be "good at technology"!
Content: The workshop can be delivered in a 90-minute or half-day format. Each delegate will receive a copy of the workshop slides. A typical agenda is as follows:
1. Presentation - An introduction to building machines with K'NEX.
2. Practical session - build a K'NEX Fan from instructions.
3. Presentation - Using the K'NEX "Introduction to Simple machines: Gears" set.
4. Practical session - Convert your fan into a wind machine.
Practical sessions: Delegates will work in small groups for the practical sessions, which are designed to be light-hearted and enjoyable as well being informative.
Developing numeracy skills with K'NEX
Purpose: To demonstrate how K'NEX can be used to help children and adults to develop numeracy skills, including number, shape, space and measure.
Who is it for: Teachers, adult tutors, family learning practitioners, and anyone else helping children and/or adults to develop numeracy skills.
Prior knowledge required: No prior experience with K’NEX is required, and you definitely do not need to be "good at technology"!
Content: The workshop can be delivered in a 90-minute or half-day format. Each delegate will receive a copy of the workshop slides. A typical agenda is as follows:
1. Presentation - An introduction to Developing numeracy skills with K'NEX
2. Practical session - Simple activities from the "101 K'NEX Maths activities" Guide
3. Presentation - Using K'NEX for Number, Shape, Space and Measure
4. Practical session - More activities from the "101 K'NEX Maths activities" Guide
Practical sessions: Delegates will work in small groups for the practical sessions, which are designed to be light-hearted and enjoyable as well being informative.
Developing IT skills with K'NEX
Purpose: To demonstrate how K'NEX can be used to help children and adults to develop IT skills, including spreadsheets, computer control, the software for the K'NEX Design and Create set and the Westpoint bridge design software.
Who is it for: Teachers, adult tutors, family learning practitioners, and anyone else helping children and/or adults to develop IT skills at KS1, KS2, KS3 or older.
Prior knowledge required: No prior experience with K’NEX is required, and you definitely do not need to be "good at technology"!
Content: The workshop can be delivered in a 90-minute or half-day format. Each delegate will receive a copy of the workshop slides. A typical agenda is as follows:
1. Presentation - Using K'NEX to develop IT skills
2. Practical session - Based on either "the software for the K'NEX Design and Create set" (KS1/Lower KS2) or "the Westpoint bridge designer" (KS2 or KS3).
Practical sessions: Delegates will work in small groups for the practical sessions, which are designed to be light-hearted and enjoyable as well being informative.
K'NEX Engineering Day
Purpose of workshop: To provide a whole day of K'NEX engineering projects for teachers and educators, either on their own, or together with their students. If students participate, they may be of any age group, eg KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4, post-16, or families.
Who is the workshop for: Primary or Secondary school teachers, FE/HE Lecturers, and other educators (eg in family learning, children's clubs and childcare schemes).
Prior knowledge required: No prior experience with K’NEX is required, and you definitely do not need to be "good at technology"!
Workshop content: The standard workshop lasts a full day. Typical workshop content is either:
1. Building structures with K'NEX (eg a sports stadium), or
2. Building machines with K'NEX (eg a rope-spinning machine).
The exact workshop content can be varied according to the age and experience of the participants.
Practical sessions: Delegates will work in small groups for the practical sessions, which are designed to be light-hearted and enjoyable as well being informative.
Setting challenges with K'NEX
Purpose: To help educational users of K'NEX learn how to develop and deliver K'NEX challenges in their organisation.
Who is it for: Anyone considering setting K'NEX challenges in their organisation, including teachers, classroom support staff, club leaders and staff, family learning practitioners, post-16 educators and volunteers.
Prior knowledge required: No prior experience with K’NEX is required, and you definitely do not need to be "good at technology"!
Content: The workshop can be delivered in a half-day or full-day format. Each delegate will receive a copy of the workshop slides. A typical agenda is as follows:
1. Presentation - Setting K'NEX challenges.
2. Practical session - A simple K'NEX challenge.
3. Presentation - Managing K'NEX challenges.
4. Practical session - Techniques and Handy Hints.
5. Questions and answers.
Practical sessions: Delegates will work in small groups for the practical sessions, which are designed to be light-hearted and enjoyable as well being informative.
K’NEX Family Learning Day
K'NEX is very popular in family learning throughout 
the UK for reasons that include:
- K’NEX is excellent for attracting fathers into family learning sessions.
- Providing K'NEX challenges is a good way of attracting hard-to-reach families.
- K'NEX can be used successfully with all ages of children, from age 5 upwards. Kid K'NEX is also available for 3-7 year olds.
- K'NEX in a family learning setting helps both children and adults to develop essential workplace skills in technology, innovation, problem solving and teamwork.
- K'NEX can also be used very effectively alongside ther forms of family learning, such as family literacy, family numeracy and family IT sessions.
Young People Interactive Sessions
Available as one hour, 90 minutes, half or full day sessions using the practices delivered within the OCN training. Karen is enhanced police cleared and available to deliver a variety of interactive sessions to young people using K’NEX providing them with a better understanding of technology, science, numeracy, and literacy and improving creative skills and problem solving skills.
Workshops (60 – 90 minutes)
Suitable for LA conferences, inset days, community training events and more. These can be delivered on a range of themes to suit the event.
Themes
K’NEX learning days and activities can be run on a range of themes, such as:
- Bridge Building
- Boats and Planes
- Circuses
- Cars & Construction
- Fimble Comes to Stay
- Medieval Technology
- Olympic Games
- Playgrounds
- Space or Star Wars
- Wacky Races
Three Ways to Run a K’NEX Training Event
- No risk No cost/administration for the LA/Organisation. You agree to provide a venue & circulate provided flyers in exchange for 2 free places. All flyers include your logo but we undertake all administration & costs.
- Bought in Arrange the date, venue and discuss whether or not you want accreditation. We will provide flyers and can help with other promotional ideas
- Bought in with individuals paying accreditation Same as 2 with the organisation paying for the course and the individuals given the option of paying for accreditation.
Buying in a K’NEX Activity Event
Contact us and agree the date, venue and theme. Don’t worry if your idea is not listed K’NEX activities are very flexible and can support whatever you want to do.
Buying and Using K’NEX
The K’NEX User Group is a not for profit organisation promoting the educational use of K’NEX and Kid K’NEX. Their website www.knexusergroup.org.uk contains free K’NEX resources and downloadable challenges. Their online shop sells low cost K’NEX kits and parts. Looking to buy K'NEX or kid K'NEX please visit http://www.knexusergroup.org.uk/acatalog/karen-routledge-knex-shop.html or download an order form from here.
What Others Say About K’NEX Courses:
“Extremely informative – one of the best courses I’ve been on.”
“Brilliant! Recommend it for all CSAS. Every school should have this course for all staff, all subjects.”
“The presentations give so many ideas on the use of K’NEX, its applications and the practical elements add fun to the experience.”
“It gave so many ideas of how to use the equipment and how sessions can be structured so that students get the most from using it. “
“Working as a team, solving challenges, practical hands on experience of using K’NEX gave a sense of achievement.”
“It showed how you could use K’NEX within different settings within the curriculum.”
“Understanding how K’NEX can be used for Numeracy/Science/Technology was the most useful part of the day. It opened my mind regarding the actual use of K’NEX.”
“The practical activities - getting some hands on experience of the kit was excellent.”