The Tournament of Minds is a school competition program available throughout Australia, New Zealand and Singapore. Teams of students work to solve problems in a number of disciplines, including: language and literature, mathematics and engineering, and social sciences. The program runs through the third school term, commonly commencing on the first week back at school.
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The process
There are two grades, one each for junior and senior students:
- Junior teams are generally in the last two years of primary school.
- Senior teams are entered by high schools, generally from Years 7/8-10, and must have at least two members of the starting grade, e.g in New South Wales, two Year 7s must be included in the team, but Western Australian teams must include two year 8s.
Each team of seven is provided with a problem related to their chosen discipline. The same problem is given to every team. Teams then spend six weeks preparing their solutions, as well as a dramatic scenario to present their solution. Students must complete their solution without outside assistance (including parents, teachers or other students). They are required to prepare their solution, scripts, costumes, props and backdrops from materials within a strict budget. The budget is $50 for Language Literature and Social Sciences teams, but Maths/Engineering teams receive a larger budget to account for the device they are required to build. The budget is designed to promote recycling, as recycled materials are not counted, as well as ensure that the competition is affordable for all schools, and keep poorer schools competitive. Teams compete by presenting their solutions in front of an audience and a panel of judges on Tournament Day. Judges award points based on a marking guide provided in the problem. Generally, 100 points are given for the problem solution, and 50 points for the dramatic presentation. On Tournament Day teams are also required to complete a Spontaneous Challenge, where quick thinking and creativity are demanded of the team in the space of a few minutes. The Spontaneous Challenge is not conducted before an audience, but solely before a panel of judges. The same challenge is given to every team, regardless of their chosen discpline.
Topics
The 2006 state final topics and challenges were
- Language Literature - "Truth is Enough"
- Social Sciences - "Trio of Triumphant Travellers"
- Mathematics Engineering - "Strike Out"
- Spontaneous - "Calculator"
Information Technology
An Information Technology discipline was tested in Western Australia in 2005. New South Wales trialled IT in 2006 for schools in Sydney only. In 2007 Applied Technology (AT) was added as a discipline for both primary and secondary divisions.
Recent Australian national winners
2007
Primary
- Applied Technology Illaroo Road Public School (NSW)
- Maths Engineering Riverside Primary School (Tasmania)
- Language Literature Garran Primary School (ACT)
- Social Sciences Hartwell Primary School (Victoria)
Secondary
- Applied Technology Emmaus College (Victoria)
- Maths Engineering Queenwood School for Girls (NSW)
- Language Literature Esperance State School (WA)
- Social Sciences St Edmund's Secondary College (QLD)
2006
Primary
- Maths Engineering Boroondara Park Primary School (VIC)
- Language Literature Eden Hills Primary School (SA)
- Social Sciences St Francis Xavier Primary School (WA)
Secondary
- Maths Engineering Esperance Senior High (WA)
- Language Literature Walford Anglican School for Girls (SA)
- Social Sciences Mt St Patrick College (QLD)
2005
Primary
- Maths Engineering Stirling East Primary School (SA)
- Language Literature St Monica’s Parish School (SA)
- Social Sciences St Paul’s Primary School (WA)
Secondary
- Maths Engineering St Catherine’s School (VIC)
- Language Literature Ipswich Grammar School (QLD)
- Social Sciences Smith’s Hill High School (NSW)
2004
Primary Division
- Maths Engineering Turner School (ACT)
- Language Literature Telegraph Point Public School (NSW)
- Social Sciences Sacred Heart School (ACT)
Secondary Division
- Maths Engineering John XXIII College (WA)
- Language Literature John Paul College (NSW)
- Social Sciences Walford Anglican School for Girls (SA)
2003
Primary
- Maths Engineering Esperance Primary School (WA)
- Language Literature Queanbeyan Public School (ACT)
- Social Sciences Esperance Primary School (WA)
Secondary Division
- Maths Engineering Trinity College North (SA)
- Language Literature St Bede's College (VIC)
- Social Sciences Bede Polding School (NSW)
2002
Primary Division
- Maths Engineering St Brigid's College (WA)
- Language Literature Queanbeyan Public School (ACT)
- Social Sciences Eagle Junction State School (QLD)
Secondary Division
- Maths Engineering Loreto College (SA)
- Language Literature Wilderness School (SA)
- Social Sciences Esperance Senior High School (WA)
External links
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