MS Future Problem Solvers Program, Inc.

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Global Issues Problem Solving (GIPS) is available for individuals or teams.  It teaches students how to think creatively about the future as students research and analyze the annual topics.  GIPS can be used as a curriculum, integrated into content areas, or offered as an extra-curricular option.  Students world-wide vote to

determine the five annual topics from three strands - Science/Technology, Business/Economics,

and Social/Political.Topics change yearly.  This years topics are:  International Travel,

Sleep Patterns, Gamification, and Living in Poverty.  The fifth topic, the International Conference

topic, will be released to the public March 1st, 2020.

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Students research a topic to gather background information, become mini-experts in the topic, and

predict possibilities for the future.  Students receive a Future Scene, an imagined scenario based on

the topic 20 to 40 years in the future, and use their research as they apply the six-step FPS model. 

FPS coaches are encouraged to introduce generating and focusing guidelines along with a variety of creative and critical thinking tools.  These creative problem solving tools and guidelines provide students with options to generate creative possibilities and to focus on effective solutions and innovation.

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We all have problems we'd like to solve.  Some people aren't very good at math.  Some people have nosy neighbors.  Some people go to bed hungry at night.  No matter how small or how big the problems are, we like to solve them.  It's hard to solve a problem though, unless we understand the problem very well.  Who is involved in the problem?  What is the problem? When and where does the problem occur?  Why does the problem happen?  How does it occur?  The first step in successful problem solving is defining and describing the problem.  That's what a 'Future Scene' is - a description of the problem situation you want to solve.  

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The Global Issues Problem Solving (Booklet Program) begins when a school registers one or more teams, or individuals, and finds coaches - usually, but not necessarily, teachers - to work with team or individual participants. Coaches and teams/individuals work together to learn and practice the skills involved in the six-stage creative problem solving process. They then apply these skills gradually during the year to a series of problem situations on internationally set, significant social, economic, or scientific issues. There are competitive and non-competitive options.



 

Team and Individual Competition



Teams of four students, or individual, work with coaches who assist them in gathering information and refining their problem solving and communication. After thoroughly researching a topic, students analyze a one-page future scene, which describes a situation which looks a specific area of the broader topic. This future scene is normally set at least 20 years in the future. The students then write up their six-stage analysis using a special booklet proforma. At regular intervals throughout the year the teams submit their work to evaluators who review it and return it with suggestions for improvement. As the year progresses, the teams become increasingly proficient at problem solving.



During the year teams work on three topics. The completed booklets are submitted to evaluators who score the work and return it with both praise and suggestions for improvement. This feedback is one of the major strengths of the program, for it leads students to growth and improvement. The competition motivates the students, but learning is the ultimate goal.

The diverse range of scientific, economic and social topics is chosen annually by a vote of students, coaches and Affiliate Directors. Some past topics include Corruption in Government, Antarctica, Freedom, Tourism and Undersea Living. Click here to see a full list of all the topics that have been addressed in Future Problem Solving since 1990.



Of the three problems which students complete each year, the first two are practice only, with the evaluators' scores and comments serving as a means of helping students improve. The third problem is competitive and must be completed within two hours. The top teams in each division are invited to compete at the state Affiliate Bowl.  Winning teams at the Affiliate Bowl, in each of the three divisions, are invited to attend the International Future Problem Solving Conference, a global competition.



Competitive - Divisions​

 

Mississippi offers three competitive divisions in the GIPS Component.  The Affiliate Bowl winners in each division receive invitations to compete globally at the International Conference.  Division offered by the MSFPSPI are:

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GIPS Junior (Grades 4-6)

GIPS Middle (Grades 7-9)

GIPS Senior (Grades 10-12)

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Team and individual competitions are available within each division.

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The annual International FPS Conference is held in June. Approximately 2500 students and their coaches convene for four days of competitive problem solving, cooperative educational seminars and cultural exchange.

 

Novice​ Division

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Mississippi also offers a Novice Division in the Junior Division for grades 4-5th only, both team and individual.  The Novice Division is geared toward first time participants, whether students and/or coaches.  Novice participants write a shortened booklet.  This is a perfect starting point for first time Problem Solvers, English Language Learners, or students who need a little extra time in mastering the process.  Top teams and individuals in the state in the Novice Division are invited to compete at the state Affiliate Bowl.  The top team and individual at the Affiliate Bowl will receive an invitation to the FPS Experience at the International Conference (IC).  This invitation affords the student(s) the IC experience as well as hands on training and guidance from top FPS coaches from around the world.  

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Description Courtesy of Australia FPS & Texas FPS