Our problem solvers

 Students from Christchurch’s St Margaret’s College have got their minds set on problem-solving. 

This winter, seven SMC students from Years 10 and 11 jetted off to University of Massachusetts in Amherst, for the Future Problem Solving International Competition, a global forum to “develop the ability of young people globally to design and achieve positive futures through problem-solving using critical and creative thinking.” 

The SMC team comprises winners from the FPS New Zealand Nationals. Trelise McEwan is the Middle Division Individual Champion, and Zara Clark, Mille Edwards, and Holly Sawyer are the Middle Division Team Champions. The 2021 Junior Division champions, Year 10 students Sneha Datla, Phoebe James, and Tilly O’Donnell further strengthen the team. Accompanying the students was coach and Head of St Margaret’s Junior School, Bridget Compton-Moen. 

Despite being up against students from all over the United States and seventy other countries during the two-week competition, the SMC team came away with great results. Tilly O’Donnell placed first in the Multi- Affiliate Global Issues competition, working as part of a team of four students from around the world. The SMC team also placed second in the Presentation of Action Plan, which requires competitors to create a short presentation to pitch the solution to the problem they have been given. 

The topic for the 2023 International Championships was Currency. This meant teams delved into cryptocurrencies, non-fungible tokens, and global currencies, and researched the future of currency. 

Do you know a young person who deserves some recognition? Email editor@avenues.net.nz