10 Problem Solving Activities for High School Students

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9.​ ​Pulling Pockets

The next one in our list of problem solving activities for high school students is played with an entire class divided into teams of equal size, this activity targets students’ ability to think quickly, cooperate, and collaborate to come up with as lengthy a list as possible. Using “pockets” (anything that can be closed, such as a bag, jar, envelope, etc.) that contain problem scenarios within them (on a slip of paper or card), teams compete by taking turns providing viable solutions to the problem contained in the pocket over a 60-second span. For example, if a pocket’s problem is “I forgot my homework,” each team, starting with the team that selected the pocket, will provide a solution to the forgotten homework problem. A panel of independent judges will decide whether a proposed solution is viable. The round ends when the 60 seconds ends or when no more new solutions can be produced.

Problem Solving Activities for High School Students

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