home



**CONGRATULATIONS to our IC teams - 13 trophies at the International Finals - a stunning effort! We are so proud of them all. Read the full results on the News page.**

//Future Problem Solving, New Zealand //

We are in the process of having our website redeveloped - this wiki will give you the necessary information in the meantime. Feel free to email us (see 'Contact Us' page or use the discussion tags on these pages).

Future Problem Solving is a rigorous international academic programme that develops excellence in future's thinking and problem solving and provides young New Zealanders with the skills to meet the future head-on.

Opening doors to imagination, ingenuity and creativity, Future Problem Solving stimulates critical, ethical and creative thinking skills. Students learn a six-step problem solving process as they grapple with major global and local issues through Global Issues Problem Solving, Community Problem Solving or Scenario Writing. toc Through the Future Problem Solving Programme students:
 * Develop creative thinking abilities
 * Increase awareness of and an interest in the future
 * Learn and employ problem-solving strategies
 * Develop teamwork skills
 * Improve oral and written communication
 * Exercise critical and analytical thought
 * Engage in real-life problem solving
 * Extend perceptions of the real world
 * Explore complex societal issues
 * Develop, utilise and improve research techniques

**FPS and the New Zealand Curriculum. **
Future Problem Solving is closely linked to the New Zealand Curriculum (NZC). It reflects the Principles of the NZC and in particular provides a vehicle for exploring the Future Focused themes. Students have the opportunity to both develop the Key Competencies and to explore how others develop and apply the key competencies through authentic themes and problem solving. Topics for Global Issues are deliberately selected across the Learning Areas, whilst Community Problem Solvers will develop skills and knowledge across the Learning Areas. Teachers ('Coaches') will have the opportunity to apply Effective Pedagogies as they facilitate 21st century collaborative learning.

**Global Issues Problem Solving: **
__** Competitive: **__ Students work in teams of four, or as an individual, with a coach who facilitates their research into the current topic and helps them to learn and apply the six-step problem solving process. During the year the students work on three set topics, analyse a one page futuristic scenario (the 'Future Scene') and produce a booklet based on the problem solving process. The work is mailed to evaluators who assess it and return it with comprehensive feedback, including suggestions for improvement. Top placed teams from the Qualifying Problem compete at the National Finals for the chance to win a place to represent New Zealand at the International Finals in the USA in June the following year. 'Y' division competes at Nationals but is not eligible to compete at the International finals. Some students prefer to work by themselves and complete a shorter booklet.
 * Competitive Divisions (Team or Individual):**
 * 'Y' (Competitive Primary) Division:** Up to Yr 6 (Y division are eligible for National, but not International Finals - they complete a shorter booklet tahn the other competitive teams)
 * Junior B**: Years 5 - 7 (If Yr 5 - 6 teams want to compete for a place at the International Finals, they have to enter this division)
 * Junior:** Any Junior team which includes Year 8 student(s)
 * Middle:** Years 9 - 10
 * Senior:** Years 11 - 13

__** Stepping Stones - Non Competitive **__ Students work in teams of any size (four is recommended). Stepping Stones teams usually work on the same topics as the Competitive Divisions, but there option of doing alternative topics that may link more closely to classroom units of work. These other topics can be viewed on the topics page. These students receive feedback on their work, but no marks or rankings. They have a longer period of time than the competitive division to work on their booklets. Schools that are new to the programme are able, on a one time only basis, to register in the programme part way through the year.This division is very suitable for students and coaches who are attempting Future Problem Solving for the first time. Stepping Stones teams are not eligible for the National Finals.
 * Stepping Stones Divisions:**
 * Stepping Stones Primary**: Years 1 - 6
 * Stepping Stones:** Years 7 - 13

Community Problem Solving:
__** Team or Individual: **__ Students work in teams to identify a problem which exists in their own community, carry out research, write a scenario, then apply the steps of the Future Problem Solving process so that they can develop a plan of action. They then implement the plan of action to solve their problem. Community Problem Solving teams which reach a national standard can be invited to the National Finals.
 * CmPS Divisions:**
 * Junior:** Years 5 - 7
 * Middle:** Years 8 - 10
 * Senior:** Years 11 - 13

**Scenario Writing **
Students work individually to research one of the year's topics, then write a 1500 word futuristic scenario in short-story format, based on their research. They may submit one or two scenarios to be evaluated over the year. Students or coaches do not have to have FPS experience to enter scenario writing. media type="custom" key="9957079"
 * Scenario Writing Divisions:**
 * Junior**: Years 5 - 7
 * Middle**: Years 8 - 10
 * Senior:** Years 11 - 13