On the first day of the autumn break, students from the Pécs Group 1 and Pécs Group 3 participated in diverse sessions focused on developing logical and critical thinking, as well as strengthening skills related to further education and career choices.
Logical thinking through the world of finance and decision-making
“In the session focused on developing logical thinking, we aimed for students to practice analytical thinking through situations related to everyday life and economic decisions. Instead of traditional logic tasks, this time we examined questions of investments, loans, and risk-taking. The students compared different investment options, calculated the expected returns of individual products, and then became familiar with the basics of taking out a loan through a simplified home loan example. At the end of the session, we analyzed the economic return on drilling an oil well, during which students had to weigh the expected profits against the risks. The participants actively engaged in the shared thinking process, helping to solve tasks with their creative ideas and questions. The exercises clearly demonstrated the important role that logical thinking and mathematical reasoning play in making financial decisions.” Ádám Balogh, volunteer
Critical thinking and entrance exam preparation
“With the eighth-grade students, the focus was on preparing for the central entrance exam. We practiced more complex types of questions from previously solved test papers, and paid special attention to developing argumentative writing. We jointly analyzed the completed works based on the evaluation criteria of the central entrance exam, thereby supporting a more conscious preparation. For the tenth-grade students, the main goal was preparing for the upcoming portfolio defense. We reviewed the content and formatting requirements of motivation letters, and then each participant drafted their own motivation letter. During the collaborative work, emphasis was placed on self-reflection, formulating goals, and consciously presenting personal strengths. Within the topic of critical thinking, we dealt with media and information literacy, specifically focusing on recognizing fake news and manipulation techniques. Students collected examples together, discussed criteria for the credibility of information sources, and analyzed how media content can influence opinion-making. The broad horizon and interest of the students were clearly visible during the discussions. By the end of the lesson, we collected many useful perspectives and practical advice that can contribute to more conscious media usage and more well-founded opinion-making. Thus, the first day of the autumn break was not only meaningful but also developmental: students could simultaneously practice logical thinking, critical analysis, and skills that will prove useful during further education and later life situations.”
Andrea Bálint-Orsós, mentor Pécs Group 3
