Learn About Future Problem Solving
Meeting Times: Wednesday afternoons 4:00-5:00, Competitions will from 4:00-6:00
Sponsors: Ms. Maldonado (5th grade) and Mrs. Ketterer (6th grade)
FPS students learn, practice, and apply a six-step thinking, discussion, and writing process competitively on four different topics every year. In the 2024-25 school year, they will research food security, rising sea levels, nanotechnology, and the agricultural industry.
Our 2024 State Competition Team
Among all the other academic competitions, Future Problem Solving stands out in its ability to teach critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity. So many colleges and careers are looking for students who can work in a team setting to not only identify underlying problems but develop solution ideas that can tackle these issues.
SKILLS FOSTERED THROUGH FUTURE PROBLEM-SOLVING:
- Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving– Students use analysis to gain an understanding of issues in today’s world, and to understand the significant aspects of complex situations set in the future. Problem-solving skills are used as the participants work through solutions and action plans for those situations.
- Creativity and Innovation- Students learn to think “Outside of the Box.” Creativity is essential as the students generate challenges and develop multiple ideas for solutions to pressing global issues. Problem-solving situations are set in the future to encourage inventive thinking.
- Researching and Information Gathering– Students learn to analyze and evaluate information from a wide variety of sources.
- Evaluation and Decision Making- Students develop criteria to evaluate possible solution ideas and utilize an evaluation process to determine the best solution.
- Communication and Collaboration- Students collaborate in teams while learning about the issues and applying their problem-solving skills. Clear and articulate communication is developed while working with team members, as well as through written documents submitted for evaluation.