Challenge coordinator Doug Grubert said the program targeted “highly capable” students.

“We encourage students from all over Northern Tasmania to participate,” he said.

“We have people from the independent sector, from Catholic education, and from Department of Education Schools. 

“We have 9 different schools represented this weekend. 

“We have 15 teams, each of four students. In most cases they’re schools based, but in some cases there’s composite teams.”

Mr Grubert said the children did multiple challenges over the two days.

“The kids do four separate challenges on the Saturday. We call them minor challenges, or distinct or discrete challenges,” he said.

“Then on the Sunday, the challenges that they do are one two-hour challenge and two one-hour challenge.

“They combine together to give a score for the Sunday.

“Our challenges on the Saturday were an arts challenge, a science challenge, a music challenge, and a literacy challenge.

“Then on [Sunday], we have a coding challenge, a maths challenge which is basically topography, and then we also have a modified future problem solving approach to a future scene.

“Each time we run a Grade Six Challenge, it’s themed.

“This year’s theme is Connexion, so every challenge we do is linked to that theme.

“Even though we live in a much more modern society [now], that feeling of connectedness or the fear of disconnectedness has been around for ages.

“Everything connects together as part of a whole, as well. The challenges connect, but it’s part of building connections in the greater Northern Tasmania area.”

Mr Grubert said the challenge aimed for pupils to come away will skills in collaboration, communications, teamwork, and problem solving.

The challenge was held on May 19 and 20.