Tower of Strength challenge

To celebrate the 2012 Olympics, we want to build an Olympic Tower, the tallest in the UK. But first we need your help to make a scale model, with an eye-catching design, and great strength. Can you help?

Levels of difficulty:
Level 1 - Make a tower 0.5m high
Level 2 - Make a tower 1m high
Level 3 - Make a tower 2m high

Equipment: Large K’NEX set.

Approach: What will be the best design for your tower? Can you make it really strong? Can you make a base to stop it falling over as it gets bigger?

For level 2, can you come up with a pattern that you can continue higher and higher? Does it help if the pattern is symmetrical?

For level 3, have you got enough K’NEX to reach 2m? If not, would it be possible to make the tower thinner at the top than it is at the bottom?

Handy Hints (Please click to view):
A2 - 3 ways to connect rods and connectors
A4 - Making corners with blue and purple connectors
A5 - Strong 3D structures

Teachers' Notes

A project to design and build a classic tower structure. Demonstrates very clearly the strengths of K’NEX as a structural system.

Possible solution: See photo.

Before starting: Look at some pictures of different types of tower.

Conclusion: Test the towers by putting books on the top, to see which is the strongest.

Copyright © Andy Shercliff 1996 and K'NEX User Group 2004

KNEX resources > 90 Challenges > 30 traditional K'NEX challenges > Tower of Strength challenge


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