Goal	To equip with practical problem-solving skills. To show how to approach problems with a positive mindset, break them into manageable steps, and apply effective strategies to find solutions.
Skills we’ll learn	Critical Thinking, Logical Reasoning, Leadership, handling disagreements, expressing ideas clearly, evaluating information, asking the right questions.
Time	1,5–2 h
Group size	10-15 participants
Materials	Activity 2: 20 uncooked spaghetti strands, 1 roll of masking tape, a meter of string, Marshmallow.Activity 3: blinders for each participant, long rope, pieces of cardboardActivity 4: blinders for each participant, long ropeActivity 5: scissors, sheets, cardboardReminder cards for each participant.
Activity style	Teamwork, Collaboration, Discussion
Warm-up activity/Meditative technique	Warm-up activity “The Knot”

**Use the Thinking Skills Activity Bank to add or replace games. Choose the duration and type of activities depending on the audience’s attentiveness, excitement and concentration.

**Start with a short activity (7-10 min). Depending on the audience and their mood, choose it in the Activity Bank. Use meditation techniques for concentration and mindfulness or warm-up games that create a fun and relaxed environment.

Activity 1

The Knot (icebreaker activity)

1. Divide students into groups of 4-6.
2. Instruct each group to stand in a circle, facing each other, and extend their right hand into the circle.
3. Each child holds hands with a different person across the circle, ensuring they are not holding hands with someone directly next to them.
4. Then, have them extend their left hand and grab the hand of a different person across the circle.
5. The group must now work together to untangle themselves without breaking the chain of hands.

Problem-solving activities are not designed to have winners or losers. The idea is to foster collaboration and teamwork. Problem-solving activities are tasks that require participants to use logical thinking and follow a set of rules to solve problems and overcome difficulties.

Decision-making, Ideation, Collaboration, Critical Thinking, Effective Communication, Creativity are crucial for problem-solving. We will touch on all of these in the activities.

Problem-solving is a systematic process that involves several steps to effectively address challenges and find suitable solutions. Print out the table below and ask the teams to use it when completing the tasks.

1.Understand the ProblemClearly identify and define the problem.Gather relevant information and analyze the situation.Break down complex problems into smaller, manageable parts.	2. Identify Possible SolutionsBrainstorm various solutions and approaches.Encourage creative and innovative thinking.Consider both short-term and long-term solutions.
3. Evaluate and Choose the Best SolutionAnalyze the potential consequences and feasibility of each solution.Consider available resources, time constraints, and the impact on stakeholders.Select the most effective and efficient solution based on the evaluation.	4. Implement the Solution and Evaluate Its EffectivenessCreate an action plan for implementing the chosen solution.Monitor progress and make adjustments as needed.Evaluate the outcome and measure the effectiveness of the solution.Reflect on the problem-solving process and identify areas for improvement.

Activity 2

Marshmallow Tower Challenge

The next game is a hands-on team-building and problem-solving activity. It teaches us to collaborate effectively under time constraints: to take initiative, to listen to teammates’ ideas and choose the right solution together. Also, we improve creativity, leadership, and adaptability. 

Materials for each team:

• 20 uncooked spaghetti strands;
• 1 roll of masking tape;
• a meter of string;
• Marshmallow.

1. Divide the group into teams of 3-4 participants.
2. Teams have 15 minutes to build the tallest freestanding structure, using only the materials provided. The marshmallow must be on top of the structure. It is allowed to break spaghetti, cut string, and use tape as needed.
3. Encourage children to apply the problem-solving steps discussed earlier.
4. Discuss the challenges faced, solutions identified, and how they implemented them.

Activity 3

The Arctic adventure

Do the following exercise if you have enough space and objects around you to secure the shelter.

It simulates a high-stakes survival scenario where students must think critically, work collaboratively, and problem-solve under pressure. Participants will learn to delegate tasks, communicate, and collaborate efficiently, strategically using limited materials.

Students are Arctic explorers who embark on an icy tundra adventure. The mission is to build a shelter from the provided materials before the storm hits in 30 minutes. Emphasize that the shelter should be sturdy enough to withstand the high winds of the impending storm. 

Materials for each team:

• rubber gloves;
• a blindfold;
• a hair dryers, pieces of cardboard;
• rope;
• sticky tape;
• a large piece of fabric or insulating material.

1. Form teams of four or five members. Each team chooses a team leader.
2. The team leader has frostbitten hands, this person is physically unable to help build a shelter (wears rubber gloves). His role is to provide verbal guidance, instructions, and decision-making direction to the rest of the team.
3. The rest of the team members are afflicted with snow blindness, they cannot see during the building process (wears a blindfold). The team members must rely solely on the guidance of their leader to construct the shelter effectively.
4. Provide each team with a packet of construction materials and give 30 minutes for building a shelter.
5. In 30 minutes, announce the start of the storm test. Contestants take the test. To imitate a storm, use a spray bottle and wave large pieces of cardboard or turn on the hairdryers to simulate the high winds.  Observe how well each shelter withstands the challenge.
6. Recognize teams that demonstrate excellent decision-making, adaptability, and effective use of provided materials.
7. Discuss with all participants the challenges faced and lessons learned during the Arctic adventure.
8. Encourage teams to use these techniques in real life.

Activity 4

Blind Formations

This exercise develops clear communication, trust-building, non-visual problem-solving skills.

1. Blindfold all participants and provide them with a long rope. 
2. One person (without blinders) instructs the group to create specific shapes (e.g., square, triangle, zigzag line, letter L or V) using only verbal communication. 

Activity 5

Tower Building

The following activity encourages creativity, engineering skills, and teamwork. These are good conditions for understanding how to negotiate, how to accept the ideas of teammates, and how to find a solution that will satisfy everyone in the group.

1. Split the group into teams.
2. Provide materials (scissors, sheets, cardboard). 
3. Give teams 10-15 minutes to build the tallest tower.
4. Ask each group about the challenging moments. What was difficult? Finding a common solution? Working as a team? To hear each other?…

Conclusion

Today, you’ve learned how to think critically, work as a team, adapt to challenges, and find creative solutions under pressure. We need to develop and apply this skill in daily life—in school, friendships, or future careers.

• Provide feedback to participants on their progress during the workshop.
• Discuss the children’s experiences with the problem-solving game.
• Recap the four problem-solving steps and key takeaways from the workshop:

1.Understand the Problem

2. Identify Possible Solutions

3. Evaluate and Choose the Best Solution

4. Implement the Solution and Evaluate Its Effectiveness

• Encourage children to apply their new skills in their everyday lives

Prepare and distribute reminder cards to each participant.

✅ Stay curious – Ask questions and dig deeper to understand problems.✅ Think creatively – There’s always more than one way to solve a challenge.✅ Work together – Collaboration often leads to the best solutions.✅ Learn from failure – Every mistake is a step toward improvement.

Thank you for your participation! Keep challenging yourself, stay open to new ideas, and never stop solving problems!