The Gold Coast Bulletin

GHIL’S BRAINWAVE SPARKS A WINNING ARTWORK

- AMANDA ROBBEMOND

CREATING this painting was a no-brainer for young Ghil Grant who has won a national competitio­n with it.

The Caningerab­a State School grade 3 student recently won first place in the year 2 to year 4 category in the Australian Research Council’s Centre of Excellence for Integrativ­e Brain Function art competitio­n, which was themed ‘I use my brain to ...’.

A young Picasso in-themaking, Ghil said he put together his mixed-media artwork within 20 minutes.

“(It didn’t take) me too long,” the nine-year-old said.

“It took me about 10-20 minutes max. I used textas, lead pencil, a Sharpie biro and water. I got water on it, put a texta in (the water) and blew through a straw.”

Ghil said the picture showed how people could do so many things because of their brains, like learning English or maths.

“It’s sort of like fireworks are the thoughts,” he said.

Ghil said his class had been learning about how the brain worked but also how to be mindful of others.

Teacher Renea Christy said Ghil was part of the Mind Up program which gives children an introducti­on into neuroscien­ce and how it helps with their learning, behaviour and emotions.

“It’s a whole school program that focuses on mindfulnes­s education using the Mind Up resource,” she said.

“We look at parts of the brain and how it works.”

Ghil won $1000 towards teaching aids for the school and a brainy pack prize for himself and the school.

 ?? Picture: JOHN GASS ?? Ghil Grant, winner of the Research Council’s Centre of Excellence for Integrativ­e Brain Function art competitio­n.
Picture: JOHN GASS Ghil Grant, winner of the Research Council’s Centre of Excellence for Integrativ­e Brain Function art competitio­n.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from Australia