| What is the Future Problem Solving Program of Connecticut? |
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The Future Problem Solving Program of Connecticut, Inc. (FPSPofCT) is a not for profit 501 (c) 3 education organization governed by a board of directors consisting of teachers, parents and past FPSers. During the school year students learn how to solve challenges and work together as a team. FPSPofCT offers seminars on the important topics studied by the students and problem solving. At the end of the year the top problem solvers in Connecticut compete at the State Conference for the opportunity to represent Connecticut at the International Future Problem Solving Conference. You may click on the links below to learn more about FPSPofCT and the FPS process. Future Problem Solving Process The Future Problem Solving Program of Connecticut, Inc. (FPSPofCT) prepares Connecticut’s students for the future by teaching them essential problem solving skills. The challenging materials of the Future Problem Solving Program are designed to help students learn how to think, not what to think. Future Problem Solving motivates and assists students to develop an active interest in the future, improve written and oral communication skills, work cooperatively, develop research skills while learning about complex social and scientific issues, and think creatively, critically and analytically. FUTURE PROBLEM SOLVING PROCESS 1. Brainstorm challenges related to situation 2. Identify the underlying problem 3. Brainstorm solutions to the underlying problem 4. Develop criteria to evaluate solutions 5. Rank solutions based on criteria 6. Describe the best solution in detail Components: Currently FPSPCT 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) and senior division (grades 10-12). Competitive Program: Students participating in the competitive program break into teams of four (or fewer) and evaluate a future scene using the six step future problem solving process. Students prepare work in booklet format and submit it to the state office for comparative evaluation. Students complete two practice problems and the qualifying problem. Top teams in each division will compete for an invitation to the International Conference. The first place team in each age division will be invited to attend the International Conference in June. Non-Competitive Program: As in the competitive program, students break into teams of four (or fewer) and evaluate a future situation using the six step future problem solving process. Students prepare work in booklet format and submit it to the state office for evaluation. Students in the non-competitive program complete the first two practice problems. For an additional cost teams may complete a third problem or upgrade to the competitive division. Community Problem Solving: Community Problem Solving (CmPS) involves the seventh step of the problem solving process – implementation. Teams of unlimited number work together to determine a problem in their school, their community, the nation or even the world. Students use the problem solving process to determine the underlying problem, generate solutions and evaluate their solutions. Once the team evaluates their solutions, the team implements their best solution. Individuals may also submit their community problem solving projects into competition. Scenario Writing: The scenario writing competition gives students the opportunity to explore the future on an individual basis. Students research one of the five competitive program topics and prepare a piece of creative writing. Although scenarios must be related to one of the future problem solving topics, writers do not need to be members of a problem solving team. The scenario students create must be 1,500 words or less and set a minimum of 20 years in the future. The FPSPofCT Board of Directors consists of volunteers who govern the program and two paid administrators. Eric Cucinelli, President John D'Atri, Vice President Dawn Fabik, Secretary, Hebron Karen Angell, Ellington Kristen Baron, North Haven Karen Brennan, Marlborough Terry Becker, Coventry Charles Cheng, New Haven Barbara Madara, South Windsor Tom Marak, North Haven Lisa Thomas, Hebron Leslie Case, Affiliate Director Promotions Jessica Croll, Affiliate Director Evaluations Nancy Wogman, Affiliate Director Administration Future Problem Solving Program of Connecticut, Inc. 52 Court Street Cromwell, CT 06416 (860) 632-2843 (Phone/Fax)
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