The Journal of the World Council for Gifted and Talented Children

The World Council for Gifted and Talented Children
It is important for students to discuss their ideas with their teachers, parents, and
friends. Also, they may want to talk with other students who have participated in the competitions of
interest and ask them about their experiences. The students should then write down the advantages
and disadvantages of participation, as well as check the deadlines to determine if there is sufficient
time to participate. As Karnes and Riley (2005) remind students, it is important they prepare
adequately for their involvement and they may choose to use a competition planning calendar or
diary.
Prior to participation in competitions, students might also set individual competition goals,
reflecting what they hope to gain from their participation. Karnes and Riley (2005) suggest students
keep a competitions calendar, as well as a journal. Leading up to the competition, teachers can
facilitate trial presentation runs, provide time for practice, co-evaluate their performances, help
secure resources, and prepare them to cope with competition pressures (Riley & Karnes, 2005).
After students have participated in a competition, they should also reflect upon their
involvement, evaluating and celebrating their efforts, as well as setting new competition goals.
Karnes and Riley (2005) advise students to reflect upon the following questions after a competitive
experience:
• What did I learn?
• What did I do right?
• What could I have done better?
• What do I need to do in order to do better in the future? (p. 5)
While these are very broad general questions, there may be a need for students to consider
much more specific competition skills and Riley and Karnes (2007) have created a rubric for
evaluation and self-reflection. The rubric highlights, for example, the content, process, and product
skills specific to the competition. Additionally, competitors may have others, such as parents,
teachers, coaches, or team members, rate their performance. The purpose in self or peer evaluation
should be to improve or enhance future participation, and this needs to be made clear to students.
From the evaluation(s), individuals can set competition goals by identifying areas in which they would
like to improve.
Showcasing innovative and creative talents
There are many competitions available internationally for displaying and testing the creativity
and innovation of students of all ages across all disciplines (Karnes & Riley, 1996; 2005). Some of
these competitions provide opportunities for authentic problem solving, while others enable creative
production, stimulate critical thinking skills, spark creative thinking, or a combination of all these. A
brief description of each competition is provided below, and readers are encouraged to visit the
competition websites to seek more details.
• Future Problem Solving Program International, Inc – The mission of this organisation is to
encourage young people to think globally as they use their creative and critical thinking skills to
solve futuristic problems. Students can engage in competitive or non-competitive events, as
they solve global issues, community problems, or write scenarios. For more information see
www.fpspi.org
• Odyssey of the Mind – This international programme provides creative problem solving
opportunities for students of all ages through open-ended questions that tap into a wide range
of interests. Teams of students are encouraged to ‘think outside the box’ as they solve problems
ranging from building mechanical devices to interpreting classical literature. For more
information visit www.odysseyofthemind.com.
• International Brain Bee – Capturing student imagination through the study of neuroscience is one
of the aims of this competition which encourages high school students to learn more about the
brain and how it works. The opportunity to develop advanced content knowledge is needed to
critically solve problems leading to innovation in neuroscience. Visit the website at
www.internationalbrainbee.com for more information.
• Graphic Communications Week Poster Contest – Sponsored by the International Graphic Arts
Education, Inc, this competition gives students an opportunity for creative production of a poster
symbolising the importance and of printed communications. Interpreting the theme challenges
students to think both critically and creatively. Find out more about this competition by visiting
www.igaea.org/student-competitions/gcw-poster-contest
68 Gifted and Talented International – 26(1), August, 2011; and 26(2), December, 2011.