ABOUT
WHAT WE DO
Founded by creativity pioneer, Dr. E. Paul Torrance, Future Problem Solving Program International (FPSPI) stimulates critical and creative thinking skills, encourages students to develop a vision for the future, and prepares students for leadership roles. FPSPI engages students in creative problem solving within the curriculum and provides competitive opportunities. Future Problem Solving Program International involves thousands of students annually from Australia, Great Britain, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Portugal, Singapore, Turkey and the United States.
PENNSYLVANIA FPSP HISTORY
Founded over twenty five years ago, the Pennsylvania Affiliate of FPSPI has held its own at the International Conference despite being one of the smaller affiliate programs. We have had teams regularly place in the Top Ten, with some placing as high as second, third, and fourth place. Pennsylvania also boasts multiple First Place awards in the Presentation of Action Plan and a First Place in the alternate competition. We're pleased to welcome you to the Pennsylvania FPS Program as we continue to build on this outstanding legacy.
GLOBAL ISSUES PROBLEM SOLVING
Global Issues Problem Solving (GIPS) is a competitive component of FPSPI which can be accomplished as a team (of 4) or individual activity in which participants research a series of global topics and learn a six-step creative problem-solving process. Problem solvers apply their topic and creative problem-solving knowledge to address a charge presented in an imagined situation, termed Future Scene.
Trained evaluators score student work and return it with feedback including suggestions for improvement. The top scoring teams and individuals on the qualifying problem are invited to Affiliate FPS Competitions. The winners of each respective Affiliate FPS Competition advance to the FPSP International Conference in June.
Four divisions are offered: Junior (grades 4-6), Middle (grades 7-9), Senior (grades 10-12), and Adult.
SCENARIO WRITING
Scenario Writing is competition in which individuals (grades 4 – 12) develop short stories related to one of five FPS topics for the year. The story (1500 words or less) is set at least 20 years in the future and is an imagined, but logical, outcome of actions or events taking place in the world today. The first place winner in each Affiliate Program is invited to the FPSP International Conference.
Additionally, each Affiliate Director may submit its top three scenarios to the International Scenario Writing Competition. The top 5 international winners in each division are invited to the International Conference in June.
Three divisions are offered: Junior (grades 4-6), Middle (grades 7-9), and Senior (grades 10-12).