The goal of this course is to provide students with the right thought processes, tools, and challenges to develop a problem-solving mindset. The course provides a discussion of problem-solving tools such as heuristic thinking, boundary testing, imitation, symmetry, working backwards, and induction while solving puzzles involving different types of reasoning (visual, verbal, and mathematical).
The course also provides the intuition behind popular mathematical concepts without the technical jargon. From GPS and telecommunications to weather forecasting and design, mathematical reasoning quietly rules our world. It is the foundation behind artificial intelligence systems, financial markets, architecture, musical rhythms, and even visual art. For example, calculus helps explain motion and change. Algebra transforms real-life choices into models. Geometry shapes the cities we live in. Probability helps us understand uncertainty and risk.
Critical reasoning goes far beyond numbers. It is a combination of structure, logic and creativity. Patterns found in nature such as Fibonacci numbers, seashells, fractal maps coastlines and prime numbers keep your data safe. The deeper and more lateral your understanding of reasoning becomes, the clearer the world becomes. This course really tries to help kids acquire critical thinking and intuition as problem-solving tools.
Question one:
There are three kitchen items A, B, and C. They need to be connected to the corresponding plugs a, b, c. Wires or cables should not cross each other.
For example, if item C is connected directly to plug c as shown, you cannot connect A or B to the corresponding plugs without crossing the cables. So, think about it!
Question 2:
Theos’s watch is 10 minutes slow, but he thinks it is 5 minutes fast. Leo’s watch is 5 minutes fast, but he thinks it is 10 minutes slow. They both checked their watches at the same time. Theo thinks it is 12:00. What time does Leo think it is now?
(A) 11:30 (B) 11:45 (C) 12:00 (D) 12:30 (E) 12:45
Question 3:
There are six eggs in a basket. Each of the six people gets an egg. How could there be only one egg left in the basket?
Course method:
The first step is to understand the problem. What is unknown? What is known? And, how do we get the connection between the given data and the unknown data.
Can we restate this question differently? What tools for derivation, generalization, heuristic thinking, etc. can be used? What are the series of steps and how to perform them simply?
Drawing on ideas from Bolzano, Polya, DeBono and Sawyer, we’ve put together a collection of simple yet comprehensive pieces that challenge and inspire children to engage in critical thinking and problem solving.
Often, each student needs to break away from what he or she usually does and do something that still involves thinking skills, but in a different way to solve an entirely different problem. This helps children by connecting the dots of their learning in unexpected ways.
What do children do in class?
Introduce children to different applied thinking tools. Moreover, children use these tools to solve many problems. In doing so, the child comes to understand the nature and categories of problems and becomes increasingly familiar with the challenges to his or her thinking.
There is no guarantee that children will achieve the required level, but as knowledge develops, students will connect the dots at their own level of application and understanding. Therefore, the benefits of such a course are more on the road than the immediate results.
Just not a puzzle book!
This course is more than just a puzzle book. The curriculum is designed to instill and guide children in the application of critical thinking, including not only mathematical terminology but also spatial, visual and verbal reasoning.
Why choose this course?
The pace of everything today doesn’t give students much room to deviate from the established path. While it’s true that a set path is important, it’s also important to step away from it and occasionally apply your ideas to completely different challenges in a non-traditional, non-academic way, which can help in unique ways, almost like a Rorschach test of applied problem-solving skills.
Thank you for reading!
You can book a free trial class at:
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