Goulburn ThinkTank Workshop

In Week 7 of Term 2, 60 students from 10 different primary schools in the Goulburn region gathered at Goulburn South Public School for a full-day workshop in critical thinking. The students were guided by experienced Consensus tutors through a range of stimulating and thought-provoking topics and activities. The workshop was generously funded by Mary MacKillop Today.

The students unpacked the meaning of critical thinking and investigated our strengths and weaknesses in understanding the world. They explored the concepts of logical fallacies and cognitive biases, as well as identifying the three key types of reasoning we use to make decisions. They critically analysed historical examples, including Ignaz Semmelweis’ medical breakthroughs, and the pseudo-science of phrenology. They were lead through an ethical analysis of human behaviour with the example of shoplifting. 

In lively group activities they developed their own ‘nudge’ policy to influence the public to pick up a positive behaviour, invented their own pseudo-science, and engaged in a fun investigation of different professions in the ‘Balloon Game’. The workshop wrapped up with an interactive quiz on content from the day and general knowledge questions.

The students did fantastic work over the day and the Consensus tutors were impressed by their excellent attention and ideas.

Student Feedback:

‘This was such an amazing experience and I learnt heaps. Thank you so much.’

‘It was the best!”

‘Very creative and fun.’

‘I loved it! The way you guys made me understand stuff is so cool!’

‘Great, awesome, I loved it.’

‘Today was fun and exciting.’

‘The teachers were so kind and entertaining.’

‘Enjoyable, fun, friendly, understandable, enthusiastic, clear.’

Teacher Feeback:

‘Passionate and engaging workshops that really draw out the thinking processes kids are using and help them develop the skills to confidently articulate their ideas.’

‘Thank you, Julian and his ThinkTank team, for providing an engaging and interactive day which encouraged our students to think deeply and extend their knowledge.’

‘Thought provoking and cognitively demanding content. It was great to see the students’ thinking challenged.’

‘It was a great balance of presenting new learning and student participation—lots of opportunity for students to think and be creative.’

The schools that attended were Goulburn South Public School, Crookwell Public School, Moss Vale Public School, Wollondilly Public School, Exeter Public School, Bradfordville Public School, Tallong Public School, Goulburn North Public School, Goulburn East Public School and Tirranna Public School.

We would like to thank Mary Mackillop Today for their support.