On 7 November, 11th and 12th grade students from Riga comprehensive schools will take part in the logic game "Riga Puzzle Day", during which 300 students in teams of up to three will solve ten logic problems borrowed from the prestigious Harvard University.
This year, Riga Puzzle Day will take place in Latvia for the third time and is organised by Riga Local Government together with Riga Business School, as well as with the support of Brain Games and the IT Education Foundation. The aim of the game is to encourage young people to solve non-standard problems, developing teamwork skills and fostering creative thinking. Its methodology was developed at Harvard University, and the logic tasks in the game combine different competences that serve as a basis for the development of the STEM skills that are so important today.
"When we met the winners of last year's Riga Puzzle Day, we talked with young people about how to awaken a spirit of ambition and entrepreneurship in Latvian society. Our young people have that spark and Puzzle Day challenges sharpen young minds even more, training logic, creativity and teamwork skills. We are delighted that this is the third year the game has been held in Riga and that it attracts so many young people. Puzzle Day is a very worthwhile initiative!" says Vilnis Ķirsis, Deputy Chairman of the Riga City Council.
"This has already become a great tradition, where students from many schools in Riga come together to go on an adventure – finding solutions to new and unusual tasks, using logic, creativity and teamwork. It is a way to show the younger generation that learning can be exciting and that the future belongs to those who are not afraid to face non-standard issues, knowing that solving them requires collaboration with others, using logical thinking and seeing things from previously unusual perspectives," says Claudio Rivera, Head of Bachelor's Programmes at Riga Business School, a part of Riga Technical University structure.
The idea of the Puzzle Day, borrowed from Harvard University, has become a familiar one in Latvian secondary schools. It also took place in Ogre, Sigulda and Cēsis, reaching more than 500 secondary school students in total, together with Riga.
Riga Business School, as a structural unit of Riga Technical University, in 2022 started the implementation of the world-renowned CS50 computer science course developed at Harvard University in Latvian secondary schools by translating teaching materials and training 45 programming teachers. This content is also taught to Riga Business School undergraduate students who have chosen to study IT. Puzzle Day is a traditional CS50 event where not only course participants but also their friends are invited to participate.
Teachers will also benefit from the event, as they will have the opportunity to participate in an information session to develop their professional and personal skills, in parallel with the students' problem-solving activities.
Students from the 11th and 12th grades in Riga are invited to take part in the logic game. Information about applying for the logic game has been sent to 58 secondary comprehensive education institutions under the authority of Riga City Council. Together, these schools have more than 7,800 young people in 11th and 12th grades. Students wishing to participate must apply to their class teacher or school management.
More information on “Riga Puzzle Day”.
Venue of the event: "Fantadroms", Gustava Zemgala gatve 76, Riga.
For additional information:
Auce Mūrniece, Marketing Communications Expert, Riga Business School, auce.murniece@rbs.lv.
Zane Biteniece, Advisor to the Director of the Department of Education, Culture and Sport of the Riga Local Government in the matters of education technologies and innovation, zane.biteniece@riga.lv