International Competition to Challenge Student Thinking

Written by Ms Shiny Sood (Director of Extension Programs)

27 August 2026

Aitken College recently participated in the 2026 Tournament of Minds (TOM), an international problem-solving initiative where student teams collaborate independently to address complex, open-ended challenges without adult assistance. 

In 2026, both of the school’s representative teams entered the Social Sciences discipline.

This discipline requires students to examine critical human, ethical, and global issues through creative inquiry and analytical thinking. The 2026 Social Sciences challenge presented a realistic dilemma: the student council was tasked with organising a charity fundraiser selling limited-edition t-shirts, prompting debate over whether to prioritise maximising charitable funds or address economic, environmental, and ethical concerns. Teams were required to determine the optimal approach to sourcing, designing, producing, and selling these t-shirts while considering the hidden costs of the fast-fashion industry.

Both teams approached the challenge using distinct analytical frameworks, demonstrating advanced critical thinking and creative vision.

Team 1 concentrated on supply chain transparency, ethical sourcing, and localised manufacturing. To balance fundraising objectives with ethical responsibility, the team developed a comprehensive decision-making chart to evaluate potential suppliers against tough environmental criteria. Their strategy prioritised minimising transport emissions by supporting local Australian industries, and their campaign addressed the human cost of fast fashion by advocating against child labour. By selecting recycled polyester as the primary material, Team 1 provided a detailed explanation of its structural benefits and outlined actionable plans to mitigate its environmental impacts. The team produced a prototype t-shirt featuring a custom-printed campaign label intended to raise public awareness.

Team 2 addressed the textile crisis through rigorous data analysis and policy advocacy. The team collected and categorised extensive research on various fabric types, presenting their findings through graphical representations to illustrate which materials had the lowest environmental footprint. This quantitative analysis led to the selection of Bamboo Lyocell, a sustainable and biodegradable textile. In addition to materials science, Team 2’s campaign advocated for systemic policy reform to eliminate unfair working conditions and hazardous labour practices in fast-fashion factories globally. For their prototype, the team created a customised t-shirt featuring a hand-stitched logo that represented their core themes of environmental sustainability, ethical labour, and global climate action.

Both teams delivered compelling presentations that received highly positive feedback from the panel of judges, who commended them for the depth of their research, ethical conviction, and innovative design concepts.

Beyond the competition, participation in the Tournament of Minds provided a valuable experience for all involved. It challenges students to think critically about global issues, develop collaborative problem-solving skills, and recognise their potential as advocates for a more sustainable future.

The college commends all participants for demonstrating creativity, passion, and integrity.