Talent Development and Enrichment
Future Problem Solving International Competition winners
Tania Whitehead, Talent Development and Enrichment Coordinator
Congratulations to Year 9 students, Henry Hu and Yash Kapoor who recently travelled to the US to compete in the prestigious Future Problem Solving International Conference.
Representing both Kilvington and Australia, Henry and Yash joined some of the best critical and creative-thinking students from Years 4 to 12 to compete in the competition. The Conference was held at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, with 1000 problem solvers from nine different countries in attendance.
The topic for this year's competition was ‘currency', with Henry and Yash having to write a 1000-word piece within a two-hour period in response to a future scene related to this topic as part of the competition.
Yash finished in equal 8th place and Henry finished in 2nd place in the first round of the competition. Henry’s piece was then submitted into the final, and we are thrilled to announce that Henry was awarded 2nd place overall in the Scenario Writing, Middle Division. This is a truly remarkable result!
We congratulate both the students on their commitment and outstanding achievements, not only at the International Conference, but also at the State, National and Tri-State qualifying competitions. Well done, Henry and Yash!
Here's a first-hand account of the competition from Henry and Yash.
Henry Hu, Year 9
It felt surreal when I heard that Yash and I had made it into the international round of the Future Problem-Solving Program. Before I knew it, we had landed in the US.
The Future Problem-Solving International Conference, held at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, was a five-day program consisting of many different activities, which ranged from constructive workshops, interactive social events, opening and awards ceremony events and, of course, the competition itself.
By far, my favourite event out of all of these was the Memento Exchange. Hundreds of people gathered to swap souvenirs brought from their home country or state. This was a refreshing and enjoyable experience. I learnt about dozens of other countries’ cultures and lifestyles, and received many distinctive mementos, like magnets from Singapore, a wallet from New Zealand, and a shirt from West Virginia, USA.
Overall, I ended up placing 2nd in the world in the Scenario Writing competition. By the end of the fifth day, the campus felt like home. The friends I made, connections I started, and my overall experience at the Conference made those five days all the more satisfying, and will certainly be a cherished memory for years to come.
Yash Kapoor, Year 9
The Future Problem Solvers International Conference was an experience like no other.
My journey with this competition first started in October last year at Carey Grammar, where the National Finals took place. When I went up to collect my award for 3rd place in Scenario Writing, I realised what this achievement truly meant - I hadn't only placed 3rd, but through the selection process I'd also qualified for the International Conference the following June!
However, nothing I knew beforehand about the Conference prepared me for what would truly be in store. Prior to the event, we received only a few details from the organisers - simply the location, a packing list, and information about a few of the workshops that would be occurring.
When we arrived at the location, the prestigious University of Massachusetts in Amherst, I was amazed by the sheer size of the event. There were close to 1000 participants, as well as their coaches and families. During the Opening Ceremony on the first day, I felt truly privileged to be selected to represent Australia on a global stage.
Over the next few days, we were encouraged to mix with and meet participants from around the world. Through various workshops, I met people from many different places, whom I never would have met if not for this great opportunity.
I was pleased to be awarded 8th internationally, and I'm even more proud of the fact I was able to represent both my country and my school in front of the world.
Looking back a month later, I still cannot believe it is over. Overall, it was a terrific experience, filled with experiences, knowledge and memories I will cherish forever.