1998 School Magazine

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Girls 6rammar ^Ichool ;!aristane 1998

Future Problem Solving

1998 !:^;;:,^::::;::;;;:;:;:,,';:::;I ,,,:;^;'::1:1;;t:;;';;;::::;;^:^;tint!^^',:: pursuit of "perfection". This was a frantic, spontaneous, insane and last minute task that consisted of garbage bags, Gladwrap, aluminium foil, plastic cups and consequently was an absolute surprise to the reactionary audience, who had obviously never encountered this BGGS team before! with two Year Twelve teams, three Year Ten teams, a Year Nine team and a Year Eight team competing, problem-solving, and researching in areas such as Natural Disasters, Freedom, and the relevant issue of Women in the Workforce.

Future Problem Solving is a team sport. Teams consisting of four members are introduced to a topic and, having conducted research, are presented with a future scene depicting a scenario related to the topic. They consequently brainstorm twenty problems that evolve from the scene, unCover an underlying

However, speaking as a member of the Future Problem Solving organisation for two years, and having completed an Evaluation Course to qualify as an official evaluator, it can be said that the skills acquired in the process of Future Problem

problem, accordinglyelucidate the prob- Iems by introducing and implementing twenty solutions, and finally criticalIy evaluate the underlying solution. ..... all in the space of two hours!

Solving extend and are extremely ben- eficial to the general school curriculum and the extension of the individuals' creativity. Students not only gain team work, co-operative skills and friend- ship, but also attain skills to enhance comprehension, lateral, creative, and analytical thinking, research and gen- eral knowledge techniques, and an overall sense of problem-solving skills that can be logically and successfully applied to any academic situation On reflection of the 1998 season of Future Problem Solving, Mrs Stubbington must be acknowledged

A highlight on the Future Problem Solving calendar was October 161997, when Kalani Dias, Sarah Hack, Sophie Ferris and myself travelled to Melbourne to compete in the National Titles, con- fronting the issue of Competition. Hav- ing conducted a considerable amount of research and discussion, as well as consulting with Mrs Hancock on her opinions regarding "Competition", we boarded arisett Flight 75 for four exciting, exhausting, but definitely exhilarating days in Melbourne. Immediately after the

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(L-R): Sqpbte Ferris, E!@4120* 0 'Gor, it@72, Kahnt Digs, S@Fah Hack at the 1997N"non@! Titles in Melbourne

and thanked for her ongoing support and co- ordination of the program, and Mrs Vain and Mr runnson must also be thanked

for their historic and scien- tmc input respectively. All teams are to be congratu- lated on completing a chal- Ienging and time-consum- ing task, and hopefully Bris- bane Girls Grammar Prob- Iem Solving teams will con- tinue to grow in number, skill and achievement in the future

completion of the booklet, the girls and dedicated coach Mrs Stubbington thoroughly enjoyed the cappuccinos, in- coinprehensible taxicab driv- ers, freezing temperatures, market stalls, restaurants and laughter that was the CUI- rural and creative city of MeI- bourne, not to mention a real highlight of the trip - a visit to the Reinbrandt Ex- bibit at the Victorian Art Gal- Iery, and dinner in Lygon Street

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ELEANOR O'CORMAN

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EuroXE PROBLEM SOLVmG Back Row (L-R): K. Dt@s, G. Butnorts, G. Goss, A. Sinm"t, N. Lampre!I-

Third Row (L-R).. R. Fin. !qy, G. Cooke, M. Builtorts. H. Smith, E. 0 'Gol7, ?"", I. A4"itt/e, L. C", ite, o Seco"d Row (L-R).' Mrs A-M. stubbing ton, S. H", ICOck, I. Dotusett, S. Farts, C. West, Mrs K. Vat Fromt Row (L-R). y. Chewng, K. Hatingspyo, tb, E. Webb, S. H@c#, E. Vatko", t, E. Prior, C. 01so, t Abse"t. . E. Fr""cts, K. Paw, A. S@?, ds"o173, E. Cony'ord, K. Mendr@

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