Thinking the problem through

The local Jefferson Salamander population makes its home near King Road in Burlington. But development has encroached on their habitat.

Globally, the world’s population will jump by one billion people every 13 years. Homes will be required, affecting the natural environment.

What is your problem? Now solve it.

It’s the kind of real-world problem students are asked to resolve in any way they see fit.

That’s what makes the Think Bowl so interesting, fun and challenging.

This school year’s 30th Annual Think Bowl Competitions at the Junior Level (Grades 4-6) and at the Intermediate Level (Grades 7 and 8) took place this spring and were very successful.

The Junior Preliminary A and B, and Intermediate Preliminary A and B took place in the spring, with finals concluding in late April and early May.

These competitions involved more than 600 students and provide them with an opportunity to challenge their critical thinking and problem-solving skills. In a nutshell, the competition also involves an element of drama, with the students being asked to present their solutions as a play presentation that they must write and deliver to an audience of their peers, teachers and invited family members. 

Specfically, the students watch a background video to set the scene and get them thinking before the scenario si read to them. 

Afterward, they complete a booklet that involves brainstorming, using graphic organizers, to identify the core problem and sub-problems to address the scenario. They brainstorm for solutions, sorting through their resolutions and using a criteria chart to evaluate their work and help them decide the best answer. 

Finally, they have to decide how to carry out their chosen solution and present this plan in a short skit or drama presentation involving songs or props. They're limited to only props they can make from things like chart paper. 

Participants have the morning to resolve the problem and the afternoon to present their skits.

Winners included: 

Junior - first place, W. H. Morden; second place, Linbrook; and third place, resulting in a two-way tie, E.W. Foster and Robert Baldwin. In the separate Garde 5 category, Linbrook palce first.

IIntermediate - first place, Captain R. Wilson; second place, Forest Trail; and third place, Pilgrim Wood

This year's event – which was well attended – featured sponsorship support from Pearson Publishers, Scholastic Book Fairs and Whitehots Publishers. Each participant received a book from Scholastic as well as a T-Shirt featuring the new Think Bowl Logo. 

Winning teams received trophies to display at their schools for the year as well as a set of books for their school libraries from Whitehots Publishers. Pearson donated book bags for our judges as well as book sets for our winning coaches. 

“Both my colleague, Sarah Cann, and I found all the positive feedback encouraging. We look forward to continuing our efforts in making the annual Think Bowl competitions challenging and motivating for Halton's students,” says Mary Kebalo-Plata, the board’s Regional Itinerant Resource Teacher for Gifted.