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What is FPS?

FPS is an international academic program that develops teamwork while exploring complex issues, developing creative and critical thinking skills and learning problem solving strategies. It was developed in 1974 in Georgia by the founder Dr. E. Paul Torrance.

Divisions

Currently the Future Problem Solving Program of Connecticut offers several options for students up to 12th grade. Competition is broken into three divisions based on age:

JUNIOR
DIVISION

Grades 4-6

MIDDLE
DIVISION

Grades 7-9

SENIOR
DIVISION

Grades 10-12

The Future Problem Solving Process

#1
Identify Challenges

  • Generate issues, concerns, and problems, applying background knowledge to the Future Scene.

  • Consider major issues and categories of problems in order to flexibly identify Challenges

  • Select the best Challenges.

  • Write the Challenges clearly and concisely, showing cause and effect and tying logically to the Future Scene.

#2
Select an Underlying Problem (UP)

  • Consider the major issues in the Challenges.

  • Select an issue that will have a major impact on the Future Scene as the emphasis of the Underlying Problem (UP).

  • Be forward-looking and proactive, not regressive and reactive, in developing the UP.

  • Write the UP in correct format, starting with the Future Scene conditions that are the basis or rationale for the idea.

  • Indicate a desired action to be taken (Key Verb Phrase), purpose for the action (Purpose), and parameters (topic/place/time) tying the problem to the Future Scene.

#3
Produce Solution Ideas

  • Generate multiple Solutions to the Underlying Problem using flexible thinking.

  • Think futuristically and consider the impact of technological advances.

  • Focus in on the best Solution ideas, checking that each idea addresses the UP.

  • Write the Solutions clearly.

  • Elaborate by telling who will implement the Solution, why it addresses the UP, and how the solution will be carried out.

#4
Generate & Select Criteria

  • Considering the UP and the Future Scene, generate Criteria to evaluate the Solutions.

  • Select five important Criteria to be written in question format.

  • Write Criteria using the superlative form, one dimension, and the desired direction.

#5
Apply Criteria

  • Select the most promising Solutions and enter in the grid.

  • Rank the Solutions based on each of the Criteria separately.

  • Identify the best Solution (highest number of total points).

#6
Develop an Action Plan

  • Plan how the best Solution can be implemented.

  • Describe the actions and steps of the plan.

  • Explain why the plan fulfills the Criteria.

  • Clearly state how the plan will address the Underlying Problem and impact the Future Scene.

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