International Future Problem Solving Winner Arriving Home Tomorrow

A Year 8 Rangi Ruru student has placed third in the world for her division in the International Future Problem Solving competition in the United States.

Megan Blackwood (12 years) represented both Rangi Ruru Girls’ School and FPSNZ at the competition, the topic for which was the Global Status of Women.

Sue Williams, who coached Megan to her win, says the achievement is significant and she is immensely proud of Megan’s success.

“The competition was fierce and Megan remained focussed and applied all of her learning to the problem posed, which was a scenario based on the topic and set thirty years in the future,” she says.

FPS is an extension programme which this year has been running for one hour per week within class time at Rangi Ruru.

“The programme is exciting and challenging, with students working in teams of four or in Megan’s case as an individual. Over the course of the year they are posed with different topics (one per term) and they love the challenge and working it through to an outcome,” says Williams.

Megan is aware that snow is forecast for the region before she arrives home but has not given the potential problem any consideration, as far as possible airport closure goes.

“If we can’t get in to Christchurch, maybe they’ll divert us to somewhere warmer; I don’t see any problem with that!” she says.

Ends

Note: Megan will arrive at Christchurch international Airport (weather permitting!) at 9.05am on Friday 21 June and will be met by a group of her school friends.