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The Kootenay Contraption Contest is back!

This annual contest invites Kootenay students from Kindergarten to Grade 8 to imagine, design and illustrate a “contraption” that solves a problem. 

KAST Youth encourages students to use critical thinking skills, design thinking, problem solving, creativity and pitch skills for a chance to win some incredible prizes! This is a great opportunity for your students to use their limitless imaginations, and to fully experience the reward of bringing their ideas to life through innovation.

The Kootenay Contraption Contest is generously sponsored by FortisBC.

For this year’s Kootenay Contraption Contest, we challenge students to come up with the most creative, most imaginative “contraption” they can dream up to solve this challenge:

The year is 2100 and, astonishingly, the sun has unexpectedly begun to die, exhausting its hydrogen core 5 billion years early! It is now expanding into a giant red star, consuming Venus and Mercury and forcing the earth into intense heat, affecting the oceans and turning land uninhabitable by the current humanity as we know it. Create a contraption to enable humans, animals and life to exist in this new world.

How Does KCC Work?

  • From Nov 1, 2022

    Register

    Begin by registering yourself (student/educator) or your class for the Contest! Scroll down and hit “Register Now!”

  • Step 1

    Download Entry Form

    Once you’re registered, download your entry form(s). 1 form per person. Use this as your guide to create and explain your contraption:

    KCC Entry Form

    Step 1

  • Step 2

    Brainstorm Ideas

    Here comes the fun part – brainstorming! Review the Rules below first. Then, use books, the internet or other trusted sources to figure out the best solution for your contraption. We recommend writing or talking out your ideas and fit together what works. Let your imagination run wild, the sky’s the limit!

  • Step 3

    Create Your Contraption

    Creating your contraption is not limited to just a piece of paper: Design. Illustrate. Build. Code. Write. Record. Gamify. You can create an art project, use coding techniques, animation, video or even online gaming; have fun and be creative! Also, don’t forget to use your entry form to explain your contraption and how it works.

    Step 3

  • By Nov 30, 2022 @ 4pm PT

    Submit Your Contraption

    Once you finally finished your design, submit your work! Please submit by email, mail or in-person no later than November 30, 2022 at 4pm PT:

    Email: youth@kast.com

    Mail/In-Person: Nelson Innovation Centre (Attn: KCC Judging Panel), 91-D Baker St, Nelson, BC V1L 4G8

Register Now!

  • Best Overall

    One lucky submission will receive a grand prize of a STEAM Education Kit!

  • Best Student

    One student from each grade (K to 8) will receive a Pizza Party for their class!

  • Best Educator

    One winning educator will receive a STEAM Education Kit!

Rules

  • Entries must be received by 4PM PT on November 30, 2022.
  • Contraptions must solve the problem using Science, Technology, Engineering, Art or Math.
  • A written description that explains how your contraption solves the problem is mandatory.
  • Digital media is accepted and must be submitted with a completed entry form.