Future Problem Solving Program International

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The Future Problem Solving Program International (FPSPI), formerly known as the Future Problem Solving Program (FPSP), is an international academic competition. Over 250,000 students internationally participate in the Future Problem Solving program every year. Participating countries include the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Korea, Malaysia, Russia, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Japan.

Contents 1 Competition Divisions 2 Levels of Competition 3 International Conference 4 Competition Topics 4.1 Current Topics (2009-2010) 4.2 Future Topic Lists 4.2.1 2010-2011 4.3 Past Topic Lists 4.3.1 2008-2009 4.3.2 2007-2008 4.3.3 2006-2007 4.3.4 2005-2006 4.3.5 2004-2005 4.3.6 2002-2003 4.3.7 2001-2002 4.3.8 2000-2001 4.3.9 1999-2000 5 Future Scene 6 Future Problem Solving Process 7 Types of Competition 7.1 Team Global Issues Problem Solving 7.2 Individual Global Issues Problem Solving 7.3 Alternate Global Issues Problem Solving 7.4 Skit Competition 7.5 Adult Competition 7.6 Scenario Writing Competition 7.7 Onsite Scenario Writing Competition 7.8 Community Problem Solving Competition 7.9 Individual Community Problem Solving Competition 8 History 9 See also 10 External links

[edit] Competition Divisions

Competition in the Future Problem Solving Program is divided into three divisions. These divisions are universal across all FPSPI competitions.

• Junior: Grades 4-6 (Elementary school students)
• Intermediate: Grades 7-9 (Middle school students)
• Senior: Grades 10-12 (High school students)

[edit] Levels of Competition

There are three levels of FPSPI competition. Not all levels are used in all competition types.

• Qualifying Problem (also known as the Regional Competition)
• Affiliate Level (also known as the State Bowl)
• International Conference

[edit] International Conference

The International Conference (IC) is held for competitors who have been invited to compete at the International level. (Qualification typically involves placing in the top few positions at the Affiliate level.) The IC is typically held in late May or early June.

A new location of the Conference is chosen every two years. Michigan State University is the selected location for the 2008 and 2009 competitions.

The Location for the 2010 and 2011 competitions will be held at University of Wisconsin, La Crosse.

[edit] Competition Topics

Each FPSPI competition is oriented around a topic selected from the school year's topic list. The topic list is developed based on votes from FPSPI students and coaches.

[edit] Current Topics (2009-2010)

The topics for the 2009-2010 school year are:

• Sensory Overload
• Invasive Species
• Orphaned Children
• Food Distribution
• Green Living

[edit] Future Topic Lists

[edit] 2010-2011

• Healthy Living
• Air Transport
• Genetic Testing
• Water Quality
• Emergency Planning

[edit] Past Topic Lists

[edit] 2008-2009

• Olympic Games
• Cyber Conflict
• Space Junk
• Counterfeit Economy
• Pandemic

[edit] 2007-2008

• Body Enhancement
• Simulation Technology
• Neurotechnology
• Debt in Developing Countries
• Child Labor

[edit] 2006-2007

• Fundraising and Charity Giving
• Protection of National Treasures
• Cultural Prejudice
• Caring for Our Elders
• Privacy

[edit] 2005-2006

• Climate Change/Threat
• Freedom of Speech
• Nutrition
• Healthcare Access
• Redistribution of Wealth

[edit] 2004-2005

• Entertainment
• Terrorism/Security
• Agriculture of the 21st century
• Depletion of Oceanic Species
• Business Crime

[edit] 2002-2003

• Sports Medicine
• E-Commerce
• Nanotechnology
• DNA Identification
• Worldwide Communication

[edit] 2001-2002

• Alternative Energy
• Educational Options
• Organ Donation
• Environmental Law
• Virtual Corporations

[edit] 2000-2001

• Tourism
• World Population
• Water
• Habitat
• International Relations

[edit] 1999-2000

• Fads
• Financial Security
• Amateur Sports
• The Internet
• Genetic Engineering

[edit] Future Scene

The Future Scene (previously known as the "Fuzzy Situation") is used in all FPSPI competitions except the Scenario Writing and Community Problem Solving competitions. It is a short story typically set several decades into the future.

[edit] Future Problem Solving Process

The Future Problem Solving (FPS) Process is used in all competitions except the Scenario Writing and Onsite Scenario Writing competitions. The six steps of the process are as follows:

1. Finding Challenges/Problems: Find possible problems within the given Future Scene.
2. Select an Underlying Problem: Determine the most important or consequential problem.
3. Solutions: Write solutions to solve the Underlying Problem.
4. Generate/Select Criteria: Write 5 criteria by which to judge the solutions.
5. Apply Criteria to Soulutions: Judge the solutions with the criteria, and determine which solution is the best overall.
6. Action Plan: The highest-scoring (best) solution, as determined by the Grid, is elaborated into a detailed plan for the implementation of that solution.

[edit] Types of Competition

There are several different types of competition within the Future Problem Solving (FPS) program, the most popular of which is the Team Competition.

[edit] Team Global Issues Problem Solving

Teams are composed of no more than 4 members. Each team can compete in one of the competition divisions.

Teams compete by analyzing the Future Scene for the competition and applying the FPS Process. The final product is known as a "packet." When completing a competition packet, each team can complete a maximum of 16 problems and 16 solutions. When completing a practice packet, each team can complete a maximum of 10 problems and 10 solutions. Each team, regardless of the division, has no more than two hours to complete these steps. All teams use the same Future Scene.

Since the Future Scene for any given topic is not revealed until the actual competition, much of the team's accumulated research on that topic is not applicable to the specific Future Scene. The overall intent of this method is to encourage creativity and spontaneous thought among the teams.

Teams are encouraged to complete the two optional Practice Packets before attempting competition at the Qualifying Problem level.

All teams begin competition at the Qualifying Problem level, where the top 1 to 3 teams in each division move on to the Affiliate Level competition. Depending on the size of the FPSPI affiliate in that state or nation, the top 1 to 3 teams from the Affiliate Level receive the opportunity to compete at the International Conference.

[edit] Individual Global Issues Problem Solving

Individual competitions are similar to team competitions, except that only one competitor, instead of four, completes a packet. Individual competitors can complete a maximum of 8 problems and solutions per packet.

Individual competition levels are the same as team competition levels.

[edit] Alternate Global Issues Problem Solving

"Alternates" are competitors who are randomly assigned into temporary teams at each competition. However, Alternates cannot progress into higher levels of competition themselves; they are typically dependent on a particular team.

For example, if an FPSPI coach had five intermediate competitors, four could form a team while the fifth could be an Alternate. If the team advanced from the Qualifying Problem level to the Affiliate Level, the Alternate would advance also. If the team did not advance from the Affiliate Level to the International Conference, the Alternate would not advance.

[edit] Skit Competition

In some levels of competition, teams compete in skit competitions, whereby they act out a short play based on their Action Plan. Individuals and Alternates from the same school can help teams in their division (or a higher division) perform a skit. Whether or not a skit competition is held at the Qualifying Problem or Affiliate levels depends on the FPSPI affiliate. Skits are always performed at the International Conference.

[edit] Adult Competition

The Adult competition is completed at the International level and is intended for adults who accompany students to the International Conference. Like Alternates, adult competitors are randomly assigned into teams in order to complete a packet.

[edit] Scenario Writing Competition

A Scenario is a short story set at least 20 years in the future. Scenarios must be under 1500 words and must be based on one of the year's competition topics. Unlike many other FPSPI competitions, Scenario Writing competitions are not timed. They are completed at the student's home or school and then mailed in for evaluation.

There are two levels of the Scenario Writing competition: the Affiliate Level and the International Conference. The first place Affiliate Level winner in each division is invited to the International Conference. The scenarios that win first, second, and third at the Affiliate Level will be sent on to the International level for evaluation.

If a scenario places within the top five at the International level, the writer will be invited to the IC if they have not already qualified for an invitation through other competitions.

[edit] Onsite Scenario Writing Competition

Competitors of the Scenario Writing competition who are invited to the International Conference can complete in the Onsite Scenario Writing competition. Competitors are randomly grouped into teams of four.

Each team member is given a copy of the same Future Scene used in the other competitions. Each team member picks an aspect of the Future Scene on which to write a scenario. Two hours are given to complete the competition.

[edit] Community Problem Solving Competition

Community Problem Solving (CmPS) is a component of the FPSP that encourages students to identify and solve problems in their own community using the FPS Process. CmPS teams use the six step process to solve problems they see in their community. They compete at two levels, state and internationals. They are graded on two things, their six page addendum which is a type of formal scrap book and a six page report which has everything in writing of what they have done. At Internationals the CmPS groups have a total of three and a half hours to make a board on spot and also have to go through a half hour interview with a judge.

At FPSPI 2008, Team "Read A Book, Live A Life" from Hwa Chong Institution became the first ever team from Singapore to have won the grand championship with their work towards the autism community. In 2009, a team from Pecatonica, WI won the overall competition with a project called "DRIVE" which focused on student driving.

[edit] Individual Community Problem Solving Competition

There is a variation of the CmPS designed for individual competitors.

[edit] History

Future Problem Solving was founded in 1974 by the late Dr. E. Paul Torrance. He designed the program as a way of helping capable students think more creatively and productively about critical issues.

[edit] See also

• List of Future Problem Solving Program Affiliates

[edit] External links

• Future Problem Solving Program International