Computing · Stage 6

Challenge: Bebras Systems Thinker

Programs & Judgement · challenge · solve Bebras-style problems by reasoning across a system

✦ Computing📘 Stage 6 · S6⏱ ~14 min🧒 Ages 10–12★ Free to start

I can solve Bebras-style problems, reasoning across a system.

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Kavi Meets the Bebras Beaver

Kavi found a puzzle book called Bebras — named after the clever beaver 🦫 that plans its whole dam before placing a single stick. "These puzzles have no sums to memorise," said Kavi. "They ask you to think across a whole system." A systems thinker has four tools: break a big problem into parts, spot a pattern or rule that always holds, follow the rules exactly, then step back and check the whole. "Pigeons and socks, routes and ranks, robots and rules," Kavi hooted. "Reason the answer out — never just guess!"

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What your child will learn

1Four tools for any Bebras puzzleA Bebras puzzle never asks you to recall a fact — it asks you to reason across a whole system. Tap each tool to see its job.

2The sorting machine follows rules, not hunches

3Which kind of Bebras puzzle is this?

4Solve three Bebras classics in your headDon't guess — reason. Read each puzzle, work it through, then reveal to check. These three patterns come up again and again.

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A peek inside

A box holds pencils in 3 colours. With your eyes shut, how many pencils must you pull out to be certain you have two the same colour?

3 colours could give 1 of each — one more must repeat

Try this at home: What four moves does a systems thinker make before guessing?

Ready to play and learn?

Start the free interactive lesson, or print the handout for screen-free play.

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Part of Computing · Stage 6 · S6 on KAVI Academy — a secular, whole-child learning platform for ages 5–12.