Quake Experience Brings International Success to Christchurch's Future Problem Solvers

Fresh off a plane from Michigan and the International Problem Solving Competition, the Year 8 Selwyn House Team is celebrating placing 8th out of 60 teams from around the world.

In Wisconsin from the 8th-12th June, the team from Selwyn House School and another from Cobham Intermediate (both from Christchurch) competed at the annual Problem Solving International Competition alongside young people from all over the world.

Competing in teams of four, these intermediate aged students worked through a six step problem solving process to solve challenges presented in a scenario set in the future. This year’s competition was based on the topic of Emergency Planning, and our teams have gained expert knowledge in this area with their recent earthquake experiences.

Selwyn House Coach, Linda Baran says the purpose behind Future Problem Solving is to encourage students to think critically and creatively about problems we may face in the future.

“In the lead up to the competition in Michigan, it was important for the students to research the latest developments in approaches to emergency planning. Meetings the girls had with mayor Bob Parker and Sam Johnson from the Student Volunteer Army, helped our students to focus on key issues in emergencies and on innovative solutions,” she says.

With sixty American national and state champion team competing in the Junior Division, both teams from Christchurch received awards. Cobham Intermediate was placed fifth and Selwyn House eighth.