Winning Model: Belly of the Beast
This awesome thrill ride starts on a tower that is 8 1/2 feet tall. The cars get eaten by a Godzilla-like creature that is 4 1/2 feet tall. The creature's arm, tail, and jaws move in different ways. This rollercoaster uses G motors.
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When did you start building with K'NEX?
I got my first K'NEX on my fourth birthday and have loved them ever since. My mom bought them at a garage sale, intending them to be for my sixth birthday, but I saw them early and kept on begging her for them. A couple of months later, she gave them to me for my fourth birthday instead.
What was your most challenging K'NEX creation?
The most challenging thing I built was Screamin Serpent because I had just turned six. It took me two days to build. I think that roller coasters are the most challenging things to build without instructions because sometimes I try to make the turns too tight. I also had trouble building Belly of the Beast because the upper body was too heavy for the legs to support, so I had to put a lot of weight in the tail. I also had to reinforce the legs.
Where did you come up with the idea for your winning model?
I got the idea for my model when I watched the movie Aragon. I wanted to make a dragon, so first I built a head. My plans changed from a dragon with wings, to a Godzilla-like creature. Then I found out that to enter the contest I had to choose one of four categories. When I looked at the categories, my creature didn't fit under any of them, so I decided to build a roller coaster through it.
Do you have a favorite past K'NEXpert, if so who?
No. I think that a lot of them made cool things.
How many siblings do you have? What are their age(s) and gender?
I have one sister who is 14 years old.
Do they build with K'NEX too? Do you build models together?
My sister plays with K'NEX sometimes, usually with me. She played with them more often when she wasn't a teenager.
What are your favorite hobbies (besides building with K'NEX)?
My favorite hobbies are reading, basketball, soccer, and taking things apart. I also enjoy juggling.
What is your favorite subject in school?
My favorite subjects are math and science.
What do you want to be when you grow up?
I either want to be a K'NEX designer or an engineer.
What has been the coolest part about being a 2008 K'NEXpert?
I think that going to New York was the coolest part of becoming a K'NEXpert. Another fun thing is getting free K'NEX sets throughout the year and giving my input about them. The savings bond is awesome too, because that's a lot of money for when I go to college. K'NEX rock!
