In 2004 the Gifted Department was challenged to create a “field day for the mind.” Challenges were developed based upon the multiple intelligences. This annual event helps students appreciate diverse learning styles and promotes teamwork by giving all students the opportunity to engage in a variety of problem solving activities, while having fun. They love the opportunity to collaborate with their peers in a more unstructured way. Puzzles address several different talent and ability areas: musical, artistic, logical, spatial.

Here are some examples of puzzles past and present:

Stare

This puzzle tests memory by asking students to study a picture – looking closely for details, and then answer questions related to the picture.

Bird’s Egg Relay

In our most physical puzzle, students must successfully move the egg through the tubes from point A to point B without touching the egg or letting it fall to the ground.  The egg must always be moving; and when the egg is in “their” tube, they can’t move “their” feet.

Grid Logic

The task is to recreate a 5×5 grid so that no color or design in the same column or row.

Math Mysteries

Working as a team, students must try to solve math problems that require critical thinking (Bloom’s Taxonomy)

Song Stylings

This challenge is a chance for the musical and/or performing arts talents shine.

Eye Cue

Students must match both color and shape to form different configurations.  Visual memory, special and kinesthetic abilities are challenged in this activity.

Geo Jolt

Students must recall geographical information from memory or past experience. Visual memory, special and basic fact recollection abilities are challenged in this activity.

Think-A-Grams

Rebus type puzzles provide an entertaining but challenging tool for developing right-brain thinking in coordination with left-brain memory.  The right brain analyzes the puzzle symbology and the left-brain recalls the common term or phrase depicted. Exposure to right-brain experiences helps develop spatial relations, creative thinking, problem solving, and other right-brained skills.