Porous materials, particularly metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), integrate several aspects of chemistry and are widely recognised for their diverse applications in engineering and materials science.1 Consequently, they are increasingly incorporated into university chemistry curricula. Understanding their properties and fine-tuning them requires a deep comprehension of their three-dimensional architecture. Whilst molecular models are widely used in chemistry education,2,3 many kits are unsuitable for extended porous structures due to the large number of components required. This makes it challenging for students to represent and perceive the overall topology of porous materials.
In an advanced materials chemistry course, we utilised K’Nex (a construction toy system) to help students explore synthesis, structure, and functionality. This approach integrated physical models throughout the lecture series and included a dedicated workshop where students used the kits to solve structural problems. Participant evaluations found this to be an effective and enjoyable learning approach. Students reported that the kits were a helpful visualisation tool, demonstrated key concepts effectively, and fostered interactive learning. While these models were specifically applied to MOF chemistry, this approach is broadly adaptable to other areas of solid-state and inorganic chemistry.