Maryland Creative Problem Solvers Instant Challenge Library

Happy New Year 3000

This is a hybrid (verbal/hands-on) challenge.

The Challenge:

You must write a list of events and accomplishments for the next millennium and present them in a 5-minute "newscast" that will be broadcast on December 31, 2999.

The Scene:

It is December 31, 2999 and you are the news director for your station. Your job is to present a newscast that will include brief summary of the past century. You must include at least 3 inventions, 3 prominent people and 3 important events.

Materials:

5 sheets of paper

3 sharpened pencils

6 index cards

4 pieces of construction paper

1 box of crayons

1 12" sheet of aluminum foil

5 mailing labels

6 paper clips

4 rubber bands

Directions:

You will have 5 minutes to write your newscast and construct any props that you will use. At the end of the 5 minutes, you will have 3 minutes to present it to the judges.

Scoring:

30 points for the overall creativity of the newscast
5 points for each separate person, event, or accomplishment presented
10 points for the creativity of each separate person, event or accomplishment presented
20 points for use of props
10 point for each full minute of the presentation
20 points for teamwork

Playthings

This is a verbal/hands-on (hybrid) challenge, you will have 1 minute to decide who will participate in the solution of the challenge. It is the decision of the team how many team members will participate. Your 1 minute begins now.

The Challenge:

You must design a game that elementary school children can play that must keep them busy for at least 5 full minutes. The game must have written rules and a way of knowing who is the winner.

The Scene:

You are visiting your old third grade teacher and she suddenly gets very ill. The principal asks you to substitute for the class. You have to entertain her class by having them play a game.

Materials:

1 sharpened pencil

10 spaghetti

10 "ziti" (pasta)

6 straws

2 rubber bands

2 sheets notebook paper

1 12" piece of string

5 paper clips

3 cotton balls

1 12" piece of wax paper

2 sheets construction paper (8.5 x 11)

5 index cards

1 paper cup

1 paper plate

4 mailing labels

1 12" piece of aluminum foil

Directions:

You will have 5 minutes to design the game and write the rules. At the end of 5 minutes, you will have 3 minutes to the game, using the rules. You must show the judges how someone "wins" the game.

Scoring:

20 points for the originality of the game
20 points for the creativity of the use of materials
5 points for each of the types of materials used in the game
20 point for the rules of the game
20 points of the demonstration of the game
20 points for teamwork