This was the first time we’ve ever run our Cardboard Challenge in the Spring, (Northern Hemisphere Spring that is). We normally co-ordinate it around the Global Cardboard Challenge initiated by the Imagination Foundation and inspired by Caine’s Arcade which went viral in April 2012 when Nirvan Mullick stopped by at his local mechanic and discovered something wonderful.

Feedback from teachers said they preferred the day later in the year now that they’d seen how much better their students were at collaborating and connecting with each other. It is true, that when we’ve run it before our October break, most students have barely been on campus 6 weeks, so, point taken. I think it might be best in Spring from now on.

I love the Cardboard Challenge so much. I enjoy hearing the excitement build with the students as they start bringing their cardboard in, and the parents too. So many messages “When can we start bringing in all our cardboard…we have so much?” I love hearing the students discuss ideas, and chatting about what they can make, what else they can bring, and who they might work with.

My main message to the students are that this day is more about the process than the product, or the journey rather than the destination. It is the fun they have WHILE they are planning, plotting, creating and playing, THAT is what the day is all about. This is partly in effort to stem the tears when we tell them they need to break everything down at the end of the day.