Future Problem Solving program winners off to US
Emanuel School students Ruby Brody and Eden Levit led a cohort of students who did the school proud in the Future Problem Solving (FPS) Program’s Community Problem Solving Competition.
EMANUEL School students Ruby Brody and Eden Levit have been awarded first place in the national finals of the Future Problem Solving (FPS) program’s Community Problem Solving Competition (Senior Division).
FPS is an interdisciplinary program that encourages young adults to develop problem solving strategies through collaboration, and critical and creative thinking. As a result of their win, the year 10 pair have been invited to attend the prestigious 2022 FPS International Conference in the US.
Brody and Levit, who had been developing their project since May, teamed up to select a real-world problem, identify a solution, and then actively implement an action plan to address the matter.
Their subject of interest saw them critically evaluate the normalisation of sexual assault, posing the question: “How might we change the culture of peer-on-peer sexual assault in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, so that teenagers not only recognise the dangers of ‘rape culture,’ but lead the conversation about sexual assault and consent, so that the mentality towards sexual activity changes and enthusiastic consent is made the priority.”
In response to the identified problem, they developed a social media plan targeting Sydney’s eastern suburbs adolescents “with the intent to rewrite the culture of peer-on-peer sexual assault so that the mentality towards sexual activity changes to become respectful of another’s body, and where consent is always asked”.
The Instagram account that the students developed showed immediate results and traction beyond their initial expectations.
“The issue that Eden and I were addressing resonated with so many teenagers, so much so that people contacted us, offering any support with the account and reposted our content to their own accounts to spread the word,” Brody said.
Levit said being able to empower others and receive positive feedback was extremely rewarding.
She also placed first in the FPS Scenario Performance (Individual) – Senior Division, while her classmate Maayan Granot placed third.
Year 9 student Willow Gelin came in the top three in the Community Problem Solving Competition (Individual) – Middle Division.
Principal Andrew Watt said, “I am exceptionally proud of the 19 students who represented Emanuel School in the FPS competition series and commend their determination, dedication and enthusiasm, despite the barriers created by COVID.
“I also commend Craig Moss, coordinator of Gifted & Talented 7-12, who coached the students to success.”
comments