Best of West go head to head in technology challenge at ACG Sunderland

June 14, Waitakere.

Students from 14 different Auckland schools will be going head to head under time pressure on June 16 in the ACG Sunderland BP Technology Challenge. Created and driven by ACG Sunderland teacher Leanne Chartrand, this year is bigger than ever and is being held at the Waitakere Trust Stadium.

With a total of 35 teams, students will be competing in two groups – Years 5-6 and Years 7-8. The Challenge is separated into two categories: a known challenge that the teams can prepare for ahead of the competition, and an unknown challenge where they have to think on their feet to design the best solution within a set amount of time.

The time challenge in previous years has seen some outstanding creative thinking. Last year, students had to create the biggest bridge they could that would hold the weight of 500 grams. The only materials they had to complete the task with were magazines and sticky tape.

This year, the known challenge involves building a rocket message carrier which will take a map safely across the room, seven metres away. The materials that can be used include a balloon, tape, two paper clips, one pencil stub and two pieces of paper. Plenty of scope for imaginations to run wild!

A simple, but effective concept, The BP Technology Challenge keeps getting bigger and better as systems are constantly refined. Leanne says, “Students thrive in a competitive environment and this unique challenge allows students to build their knowledge not only about technology, but also about working effectively in a team.”

The BP Technology Challenge focuses on developing critical and creative thinking and solution-driven ideas. It is these skills that are going to be crucial for the current generation of primary and intermediate-aged children.

“Thinking outside the square is a skill that children naturally display, it is only as we become older that we begin to gradually lose it. It’s opportunities such as the BP Technology Challenge that keep this way of thinking active in students' brains,” says Leanne.

Kent Favel, ACG Sunderland Primary Principal, is delighted his teachers think to go the extra mile. He says, “Creating a competition like this takes big-picture thinking and a lot of methodical detail to get it off the ground. Leanne is a remarkable teacher who is always pushing the conventional boundaries for her students.”

ACG Sunderland is at the forefront of creating opportunities to develop critical thinking skills that will be a key part of future employment and life skills. Kent Favel remarked, “It's always a bonus to bring together other schools, as it pushes students to go that bit further for their team.

ENDS

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Margot Bawden
0210 240 4234
margot.bawden@xtra.co.nz

Kent Favel
Principal
ACG Sunderland,
09 838 7070
0273 693 972
ACG | Academic Colleges Group
www.acgedu.com