The Sunshine Coast Regional Opti-MINDS event was hosted this year on Saturday 24 August by Noosa District State High School Pomona Campus with schools attending from Gympie to Caloundra.
Students converged on NDSHS to present their challenges after six weeks of meticulous preparation.
These challenges spanned various divisions, including Language Literature, Social Sciences, and Science and Engineering.
The event also featured a Spontaneous Challenge, where students were given just 10 minutes to creatively respond to a stimulus, adding an extra layer of excitement and ingenuity to the day.
This year’s event marked 23 years involvement in Opti-MINDS by NDSHS and the junior secondary campus buzzed with energy as hundreds of students and parents gathered, not just as participants but as hosts. NDSHS made their presence felt, taking home three awards in the Language Literature division. The Year 7 team triumphed, securing a spot in the state finals in Brisbane, while the Year 8 team earned an honours award and the prestigious Spirit of Opti-MINDS award.
Regional Directors Callum Gordon and Alex Watson reflected on the day’s success, noting, “It is so special to have so many schools experiencing our unique Junior Secondary Campus, even more so seeing the magic of students achieving results, having fun, and thinking creatively and sustainably.”
