Smart Kid Conundrums: How to Debate and Disagree Constructively (Ages 10-14)

Welcome to a world of illuminating creative ideas and effectively communicating those ideas in the Smart Kid Conundrums class! This unique and exciting course was designed with questions to help your child disagree constructively. The conundrum videos and questions were developed by Elon Musk's Astra Nova School. The puzzles introduce ethical dilemmas using cartoon animals and address questions that go beyond what usually ends up being discussed in a traditional classroom. 

Students are reminded to stay open-minded and respectful to each other while discussing the conundrum. Through careful observation, engaging discussion and added twists and challenges, students will learn techniques to listen, engage and question, appreciate all ideas, demonstrate using body language, express thoughts clearly, and reinforce positive feedback. 

Your child will develop deeper critical problem-solving skills by grappling with ethics challenges and finding inventive ideas to reason out the best solution. Students are encouraged to use their imagination and immerse themselves in a scenario. The questions are open-ended, and there is never a wrong answer. Students will practice collaborative problem solving and learn to think ethically to solve problems in a creative way.

The individual lessons will consist of a new conundrum each week following the initial "How To Effectively Have a Discussion" class.

Week of March 11: How To Effectively Have a Discussion

Week of March 18: The Blue Comet Conundrum

Week of March 25: The Treasure Conundrum

Week of April 1: The Fox Conundrum