Fifteen-year-old St Mary’s College student, Thao Tran is heading to the United States in June this year, representing New Zealand at the Future Problem Solving International Conference.
At St Mary’s College, Thao has been involved in GATE (Gifted and Talented Education) for two years, and while taking part in the Future Problem Solving programme in 2015 she was awarded National Champion in Scenario Performance - Middle Division.
This award has led to an invitation to attend the international conference and compete against students from all over the world. With an expected attendance of 2000 students at the 2016 Conference in Michigan, United States it certainly poses a new challenge for Thao. “FPS has enhanced my thinking and inspired in me the will to be a global citizen problem solver,” she says.
Her preparations will involve researching a set topic and investigating issues arising from it. She is then required to craft a narrative set 30 years into the future which involves a central character and perform it to a chosen audience.
As FPS is a non-profit organisation, Thao is actively fundraising for airfares, accommodation, conference fees and travel expenses, and would be grateful for support from Ponsonby News readers.
THAO TRAN TO FPS FINALS www.givealittle.co.nz/cause/stmaryakthaot