My Cart

Kootenay Contraption Contest

Kootenay Contraption Contest

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

The year is 2050 and we live in a community where all people have equal access to opportunities. Design a contraption that promotes inclusivity and safety that enables children of all abilities to participate in various activities.

Read more about this theme in the guidance package below.

KAST Youth encourages young participating innovators 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 youth to use their limitless imaginations, and to fully experience the reward of bringing their ideas to life through innovation.

Register as an individual, or as an educator for your whole class!

Important Dates:

Feb 5th-9th: Community 3D Design Workshops (optional)

Feb 12th-16th: In-class 3D Design Workshops (optional)

Feb 16 & 19th: Additional Individualized Support (optional, details tbd)

Feb 19th: Submissions open (button in “Step 4,” below, will be active)

Feb 29th, 11:59pm: Submissions close

Share this program

Step 1

Brainstorm Ideas

Let the fun begin! First, review the rules in the guidance package, then use books, the internet, and other sources to figure out the best solution for your contraption. Be mindful of which resources you are using; the internet is full of both helpful, and not-so-helpful information. We recommend writing down or talking about your ideas with others, then fitting together what works best. Let your imagination run wild, the sky is the limit!

Guidance Package

Step 1

Step 2

Design Your Contraption

Creating your contraption is not limited to just a piece of paper!
Design. Illustrate. Build. Code. Write. Record. Gamify....
You can use TinkerCad (online software) to develop a three-dimensional mockup of your contraption (more info below), create an art project, use coding techniques, animation, video or even online gaming; have fun and be creative!

⇝ TinkerCad tutorial videos are at the bottom of this webpage.

TinkCad Website

Step 2

Step 3

Register for a Local 3D Design Workshop (Optional)

Join a facilitated design workshop, hosted in Nelson, Cranbrook, and Revelstoke. As a youth educator, there's also an option to register to have a KAST Youth Tech Facilitator come into your classroom and do a 3D design workshop for your whole class. Get started now—TinkerCad is an online software for design that we highly recommend for simple online 3D design; tutorial videos are at the bottom of this page!

To sign up (individually, or for a whole class), use the registration form below.

Register for a Local Design Workshop!

Step 3

Step 4

Submit Your Contraption

Once you finish your design, submit your work using the submission form found below!

You can also submit by email, post or in-person:

Email: youth@kast.com

Mail/Drop off:
Nelson Innovation Centre
Attn: KCC Judging Panel
91-D Baker St.
Nelson, BC. V1L 4G8

Download Entry Form Here

Step 4

Submit your 2024 KCC Design!

3D Design Workshops

Nelson:

Dates: February 8th & 9th, 2024
Time: 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm PDT
Venue: The Nelson & District Youth Centre

KAST is offering free in-person workshops with Noah, our Tech Youth Facilitator! He will guide youth through using TinkerCad, a 3D design software, and give them time to work on their contraptions.

💡Kindergarten-Grade 2: February 8, Nelson NDYC Maker-Space

💡Grades 2-8: February 9, Nelson NDYC Maker-Space

💡Additional individualized support: February 16th, 12-3pm, Nelson Innovation Centre

There is limited space available, so register to save your spot.

Classroom visits in Nelson available Feb 12-15th.

Registration Open!

Cranbrook:

Dates: February 8th, 2024
Time: 4-6pm
Venue: YXC Makerspace

KAST is offering free in-person workshops with a Tech Youth Facilitator! These workshops will guide youth through using Tinkercad, a 3D design software, and give them time to work on their contraptions.

💡Feb 8th, 4-6pm, YXC Makerspace

There is limited space available, so register to save your spot.

Classroom visits in Cranbrook available Feb 12-16th.

Registration Open!

Revelstoke:

Dates: February 5th, 8th, 13th
Times: See below
Venue: Revelstoke Idea Factory (all)

KAST is offering a free in-person workshop with William Clack, our awesome Revelstoke Coordinator! He will guide youth through using Tinkercad, a 3D design software, and give them time to work on their contraptions. See below for age-specific workshop times.

💡Kindergarten-Grade 2: February 5th, 4-6pm

💡Grades 2-8: February 8th, 4-6pm

💡Additional individualized support: February 13th, 1-2pm

There is limited space available, so register to save your spot.

Registration Open!

TinkerCad Tutorial Videos

Previous

Next

Submission deadline: Feb 29th, 2024 at 11:59pm PT

00

Days

00

Hours

00

Minutes

00

Seconds

Partners & Sponsors

The Kootenay Contraption Contest is generously sponsored by Fortis BC and The Province of British Columbia.

Previous Events