Eighteen boys from Years 6 and 7, representing three separate Christ Church teams, have made the national final of Future Problem Solving, which will be held on the Gold Coast at the start of Term 4.

Future Problem Solving is an international programme that focuses on developing critical and futuristic thinking as well as creative thinking skills. It has been operating in Australia for more than 20 years, but was introduced to Christ Church’s Year 6s and 7s just this year.

Year 6/7 Co-ordinator Brad Hilliard, who is coaching the programme at Christ Church as part of academic extension, said a select group of Year 6 and 7 boys were offered Future Problem Solving as a subject. “Over the year the boys have learnt the advanced six-step process as well as researching topics such as cyber crime, space junk and aspects of the counterfeit economy,” Mr Hilliard explained.

“Future Problem Solving can be delivered to students of all ages with the competitive aspect of the programme aimed at able middle primary up to our very brightest Year 12 students. Through problem identification and generating solutions, students are encouraged to design and promote positive futures for the world they will inherit.”

Mr Hilliard said it was quite remarkable for three Christ Church teams to make it to the finals after only being involved for a short period of time. “The boys are very excited about competing against the best teams in Australia with the chance of making it to the international final in the United States in 2010.”

Mr Hilliard, along with Learning Development Centre Co-ordinator Helen Adams and Peter Moyes Centre Preparatory School Co-ordinator Wayne Revitt, will accompany the boys to the Gold Coast.