Tournament of Minds
On 18th – 21st October, the Tournament of Minds team travelled to Perth to represent NSW in the Maths Engineering division at the Australasian Pacific Finals. The boys were once again required to complete a 3 hour ‘lockdown’ challenge and respond creatively to a spontaneous question. The boys collaborated outstandingly and produced a very pleasing dramatic performance and mathematical device to respond to the question. It was a very tough competition pool with teams from across Australia and also Hong Kong and New Zealand. They were unsuccessful in receiving a place in these finals, however, their exemplary attitude and determination throughout the competition did not go unnoticed.
These seven boys from Years 5 and 6 learnt a great deal of resilience, as ideas were embraced and constructively criticised by teammates. They needed to develop strategies to incorporate the ideas of all members into their responses, which was a challenge in itself with so many divergent thinkers.
The boys should be extremely proud of their achievement as it is a very difficult competition to progress through. Their parents and I are exceptionally proud of both their response on the day and the behaviour they demonstrated whilst in Perth. The boys were continually commended by other teams and members of the public for their manners and positive sportsmanship throughout the Tournament proceedings.
A huge congratulation to all of the boys. You may not have come back to school with medals but you certainly won the admiration of your parents, peers and teachers. What an extraordinary achievement for you all.
Their Australasian Pacific Final challenge question:
“Not What It Seems”
The need has arisen for a special type of device. The device is to be used to perform a particular task, however, it is also very important that it appears to be something other than what it really is. The team has been called in to design and build the device. The team is to decide on the purpose of the device and build it in such a way that it fulfils its intended function, although it appears to be something different.
During the 10 minutes presentation the team must: explain who needs the device and why the device is needed, explain why the device must appear to be something other than what it is, explain what task the device must perform, how its design makes this possible, and demonstrate the use of the device to perform its required task and finally show how the device has been designed to make it appear to be something different from what it really is.
Christie McMillan
Tournament of Minds Facilitator
