| What is Tournament of Minds? |
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Tournament of Minds is a problem solving program for teams of students from years 7-9. They are required to solve demanding, open-ended challenges from the Language Literature discipline.
Tournament of Minds is an opportunity for students with a passion for learning and problem solving to demonstrate their skills and talents in an exciting, vibrant, and public way.
The team representing Killarney Heights High School in 2007 consists of Year 7, 8 and 9 Girls and Boys. We wish them luck in the challanges presented to them throughout the tournament this year.
| The Tournament Objectives |
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- To provide the stimulation of real, open-ended challenges
- To develop creative problem solving approaches and techniques
- To foster cooperative learning and team work
- To promote knowledge and appreciation of self and others
- To encourage experimentation and risk taking
- To expand and reward creative and divergent thinking
- To stimulate a spirit of inquiry and a love of learning
- To develop enterprise
- To celebrate excellence
| The Challenge |
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Team members will meet regularly at school to train their brains with creative and fun activities. When the final team is chosen, they will then be required to work together on a Long Term Challenge for six weeks without assistance from teachers, parents or peers.
They are encouraged to explore possibilities and experiment with ideas as they endeavour to produce their best possible solution. They develop a creative and original way to communicate this solution to others, working within predefined parameters such as limited materials, complex challenge criteria and the deadline of Tournament Day.
Students present the product of their ideas - their challenge solution - to a panel of judges and an audience on Tournament Day.
The teams must also participate in an unseen Spontaneous Challenge on Tournament Day. This challenge requires rapid interchange of ideas, the ability to think creatively and well developed group cooperation skills.
Tournament of Minds is an important part of the extension program of the KHHS English Faculty.