Problem

High school (ages 12+)
Thinking & Learning

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/problem

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the problem spectrum?Ranges from simple, well-defined problems to complex, ill-defined, and wicked challenges
2. What is the historical driver?Human evolution and societal advancement are direct outcomes of overcoming challenges
3. Why do problems help us grow?When we solve problems, our brains get stronger. It teaches us to think carefully, be creative, and keep trying even if it’s hard.
4. What are wicked problems?Wicked problems are very big and complicated, like climate change or poverty. They have many parts and no single perfect answer.

Wicked Problems: Complex, interconnected issues with no single solution, often involving conflicting values.
Neuroplasticity: The brain's ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life.
Systems Thinking: A way of understanding how different parts of a complex whole interact and influence each other.