More than 100 pupils from five UAE schools gathered at Brighton College Dubai last weekend for the UAE regional round of the Tournament of Minds, an Australian educational initiative promoting creative problem-solving and collaboration among young learners.
Pupils tackle global issues
The competition saw 16 teams from schools in Dubai and Abu Dhabi tackle long-term and spontaneous challenges across categories such as STEM and Social Sciences. Over six weeks, students worked independently to craft innovative responses to complex problems, from environmental threats like plastic pollution to hypothetical global shifts.
Participating schools included Brighton College Dubai, The English College Dubai, American Academy for Girls, Dubai British School Jumeirah Park, and Private International English School Abu Dhabi.
Winners across categories
Brighton College Dubai’s “Brighton Blitz” team took first place in the Social Sciences Primary category, with “EC Invincibles” from The English College earning honours. In the STEM Primary category, the winning team was PIES Primary from Private International English School, and honours went to Team RAMLLA from Dubai British School Jumeirah Park.
In the STEM Senior division, Dubai British School Jumeirah Park’s “InnovEngineers” came first, while honours went to the PIES Senior team. The Social Sciences Senior category was led by the “JP Geniuses” from Dubai British School Jumeirah Park, followed by Brighton College Dubai’s “Andromas Advocates” with honours.
Focus on innovation and teamwork
Sarah Brannon, UAE Director of the Tournament of Minds and Head of Prep at Brighton College Dubai, said:
“It was fantastic to welcome so many talented and enthusiastic pupils to Brighton College Dubai for this year’s Tournament of Minds. The creativity, confidence, and teamwork on display throughout the day were exceptional. The challenges demanded deep thinking and imaginative solutions, and every team rose to the occasion. Congratulations to all who took part – and thank you to the schools, judges, and supporters who helped make the event such a success.”
The STEM challenge required teams to design a device to combat plastic pollution and present its working model and waste management plan. In the Social Sciences challenge, teams explored the implications of a fictional continental shift, crafting a new world model in response.
Preparing for international stage
Grade 7 student Bhadhra Vivek from Private International English School reflected on the experience:
“The ‘Tournament of Minds’ urged me to step outside of my comfort zone and taught me the value of fortitude, cooperation, and innovative problem-solving… Though it feels a dream to have won the national round for the second consecutive year, it is a great honour and pride to grab the opportunity to represent UAE, our second home, at the international level.”
The Tournament of Minds continues to grow globally, offering students in primary and secondary education opportunities to develop key skills in critical thinking, communication, and innovation, aligned with international educational standards.
tanvir@dubainewsweek.com
