DOES AI belong in the classroom? Is there a compelling case to keep animals in captivity? And can you suspend a bucket of water using nothing but craft sticks, glue and sticky tape?
These were among the questions and challenges tackled by 75 high-ability students from seven primary schools at the second annual Gowrie Street Academic Games on Friday, August 28.
An initiative of Acting Assistant Principal Jack McCormick, the event challenges students’ intellect with a day of science, spelling, engineering, and debating competitions.
“The tasks all tap into our curriculum while allowing these like-minded students to mix with their peers across different schools,” said Mr McCormick.
Time limits and tests gave the Academic Games a competitive flavour. The STEM challenge had students design and construct a bridge from craft sticks in 45 minutes, then measure its weight-bearing capacity.
“Four of the schools managed to suspend a 10-litre bucket of water from their bridges. That’s pretty impressive,” said Mr McCormick.
The debate and challenges are designed so students collaborate and identify their team’s strengths and weaknesses, so they quickly learn to work together to earn maximum points.
“These are all high-ability students with great initiative and different ideas, so they need to know when to step up – and sometimes when to step back – so they have a well-rounded, successful team.”
Orrvale Primary School emerged as the overall winner against strong competition from Toolamba, Guthrie St, Mooroopna, St Georges Rd, Kialla Central and Gowrie St.
Mr McCormick, who has organised combined school chess tournaments as well as the Academic Games, said it was a great opportunity for his Gowrie St school to show off its credentials in high-ability teaching and learning.
