How can schools develop critical thinking and problem solving skills with practical challenge tasks?

As we continue to focus on core skills (which employers need and value, arguably more than traditional examination based certificates), school leaders and teachers could consider a few guiding principals:

1. Develop an interdisciplinary approach: Integrate problem-solving activities across different subject areas to help students make connections between different disciplines and develop their critical thinking skills. (This aligns with IPC and IB approaches to units of work / inquiry). A local private school designed and ran a superb two day project involving ICT - media production, Art, Islamic Studies and Geography. Students visited local landmarks, made a video to showcase culture and heritage - and the geometry of Islamic patterns.

2. Incorporate project-based learning: Give students the opportunity to work on projects that require them to apply their critical thinking skills and solve real-world problems. Many lessons or even curricula still miss out on this vital aspect.

3. Use games and puzzles: Incorporate activities such as puzzles, riddles, and logic games to help foster critical thinking and problem solving skills. Helping students prepare for international benchmark tests such as GL or PISA.

4. Foster collaboration: Encourage students to work together to brainstorm ideas and solve problems. Effective pair and group work, shared ideas and consensus.

5. Promote inquiry-based learning: Encourage students to ask questions and explore different solutions to problems. The tower or bridge building examples shown above are ideal introductory tasks - linked to maths, shapes and logic.

6. Encourage the use of technology: Use technology to help students explore different solutions to problems and develop their critical thinking skills.

Food for thought - innovation and STEM weeks and integrated projects are often a superb starting point.