We are excited to announce that the Year 6 class have entered 2 teams to be part of the Riverina Tournament of The Minds challenge.

Over the next 3 weeks the students will collaborately work as a team to research, develop a plan to create a performance/solution that addresses the challenge questions in a presentation performed in a 3m by 3m square.

The two areas chosen for the challenges were:

Visual Arts "Immersion" and STEM "Birds of TOMadise.

Immersion

INTRODUCTION

Immersive art experiences have become popular in recent times (think Van Gogh, Picasso, Monet and events such as Vivid in Sydney and White Night in Melbourne).

The International Arts Committee (IAC) has invited teams from around the world to develop a 3D immersive art installation to represent one modern or contemporary artist and a piece of their work. The exhibition will travel the world so it needs to be portable and easy to assemble.

CHALLENGE

Your team has been asked to create an immersive art experience for the International Arts Committee. Your team needs to choose an artist from the given list, research their artworks and choose one of their artworks to use in the immersive art installation. You will need to explain the significance of your installation and why it should be included.

Your installation needs to be assembled during your presentation. Your installation must be a 3D representation of the artwork. It must not be higher than 2 metres and must fit within the 3x3m square. The installation must include a copy of the original artwork, a soundscape and the use of performance art (see sample list) to assist the building of the installation. People must be able to walk through your installation.

Birds of TOMadise

INTRODUCTION

The island of TOMadise has lost most of its magnificent bird-life. The wonderful colours and antics of these birds, including their spectacular manoeuvres, were the main tourist attraction of the island. In order not to lose its tourist income, the TOMadise Tourist Company has commissioned you to produce replacement ‘exotic birds’ that will be automatically released from treetops as the tourists pass.

CHALLENGE

Your team has been selected by TOMadise Tourist Company to make the replacement exotic bird. You need to provide a hypothesis as to why the bird-life has declined and the intended effect of the replacement birds on TOMadise’s economy. The exotic bird, when released from the perch you designed, must "fly" freely and unaided with no support or guide wires. The bird will need to complete two flights. During each flight the bird will perform a different manoeuvre. The bird can be adjusted between each flight. As part of your demonstration, you must include an electronic explanation of the mathematics and science involved in your design (i.e. the bird, perch, propulsion and launch mechanisms). (See Section D for information about required specifications)

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS CHALLENGE

As part of the presentation, the team must announce to the judges the manoeuvre that will be attempted in each flight.  The same bird, apart from repairs and/or alterations to achieve a different manoeuvre, must be used. The device and/or perch can be altered to achieve the second flight. The bird must completely leave its perch on release/launch. The actual flight must not be manually assisted in any way once launched.

The perch may be at any height provided that it is no more than 1.5m above the floor, within the 3m x 3m square, and visible to the judges.

The bird must be released/launched via a mechanism, not merely tipped by hand.

The construction must not include any electronic power sources, batteries, motors, robotics or coding devices.

The manoeuvre must be clearly visible to the judges. The landing will not be judged, However, if it does land outside the square then it may be retrieved by a single member of the team. No guarantees can be given as to the available surrounding space or height of the ceiling.

The date for presenting is Sunday 27 August.