2008 School Magazine

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I I I' IP 6'1^!2111?Z, *^;' I^,,,,^, ' _ I^,!^^ 1''^6'^/^, ^;'0^-^,^, Armed with the tried and tested six-step Future

Problem Solving (FPS) process, four Girls Grammar teams comprising Catherine Wei (10G), Sarah Clarke (9H), Lisa Drummond 00M) and Ruby Ramachandran (9W), with Moksha Maisuria (9E) and Jessica Nash (80) as reserves, tackled this year's Qualifying Problem and Future Scene on Neurotechn0!o9y as part of The Macquarie Bank Future Problem Solving Program. it was a challenging competition but the girls enjoyed analysing the scenario, identifying potential problems and devising as many creative and futuristic solutions as possible. Although teams performed very well, they missed out on reaching the final round in Melbourne. Participants were given a great opportunity to improve thinking skills and teamwork via this opportunity. The Macquarie Future Problem Solving Program promotes an optimistic view of the future- to focus on human creativity and the ability to apply the mind to find solutions to the world's problems. 00^,.-/^//^^Z?' Problem solving requires teamwork, creativity, drama and above all a sense of achievement. This year we had four teams represent the School at the Opti-MINDS regional finals held in August. The twenty-six girls who participated in this annual event displayed a great deal of innovation and commitment. The Science Engineering teams had to build a machine that would move a vehicle across short space to set off a celebration device, utilising four different energy sources. Although a challenging task the girls rose to the occasion and designed a machine that was both inventive and reliable. Both teams performed well; however, it was the team comprising Sarah Norton (10M), Elizabeth Kindred (IOH), Lisa Drummond (10M), Manuri Gunawardena (10L), Sarah Clarke (9H) and jinogen Kerr (9H) that took first place. Our second Science Engineering team must be congratulated for their wonderful machine and their ability to "shoot" the judges and still come out with an honours award. ^4^ "@ 1700/

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Girls Grammar also entered two teams in the Social Sciences category in which they had to highlight three unsuccessful inventions and find a way to correct the pro Iem. All of the girls delivered impressive performances and thought provoking responses. One of the teams received honours, a notable achievement for a team consisting of only Year 8 girls' Each team also participated in the spontaneous problem division in which they were asked to find a solution to a scenario in a matter of minutes. The teams all scored well based on their creativity and teamwork. All of the competitors should be congratulated for their strong performances. in the lead up to the competition the girls worked tirelessly to prepare their scripts and storylines, develop characters, make props and costumes and learn their lines. The Science Engineering team was invited to continue the Opti-MINDS journey at the St e Finals which was held in October.

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