Creativity shines in Opti-minds Challenge
By Jake Sullivan, Year 5, Our Lady Help of Christians
ON August 25 at the James Cook University Open Day, 27 schools and 59 teams from around Far North Queensland competed in the Opti-minds Challenge.
There were three categories; Science and Engineering, Language and Literature, and Social Sciences.
My team, the Banana Waffles, consisted of Year 3 student Malindi Ireland, Year 4 student Sophie Gargett and Year 5 students Gemma Matheson, Keeley Hudspith and me, Jake Sullivan.
I wasn’t able to watch their performances but I am sure that they were brilliant.
The winner of Social Science was TAS Marlin Coast.
I didn’t watch Wizz Fizz (another OLHOC team) because it was happening at the same time as my group’s play.
I did see the Young Smarties and I loved how they had evolved the script and the message that they sent.
I watched other science and engineering teams such as the Topi-Topi Minds (White Rock) and The Squadron (St Michael’s). I liked the diversity between the machines that they had made.
To prepare us, Alison Williams consistently gave up her spare time to help us on Mondays during the last period and Wednesdays after school.
For eight weeks, she helped us with our Spontaneous Challenge (team creativity) and our Long Term Challenge (The performance).
Thank you very much, Mrs Williams.
Also thank you to the judges who represented our school. Judging can’t be easy! I’m talking of Lorraine Gameau, Nat See Kee and Clair Jenkins. Opti-minds is a very fun experience. It challenges you creatively but is still very enjoyable.
It is fun and you should try it out.