Adult+Division

An Exciting New Opportunity! FPSNZ Adult Division

The Global Issues Problem Solving (GIPS) adult competition is open to any adult who is interested. You may enter as an individual or as a team of four. Teams may include school students if you wish, but if there is an adult in the team these teams must register for the Adult Competition and will not be eligible for the International Finals. Coaches may also be an adult participant. Specific training will not be available this year but team members could attend coach’s training should they so wish. (See below for dates and venues). We MAY be able to put you in touch with a mentor to get you started. We anticipate that in this inaugural year teams will at least have one person who is familiar with the programme. Participants will work on three topics for the year: · Healthy Living · Air Transportation · Water Quality (See below for Topic descriptors) After researching the topic, participants will work through the FPS six-step problem solving process, complete a 16-page booklet and send it to FPSNZ to be evaluated. The third problem for the year will be competitive and must be completed in two hours. This is the qualifying problem for the National Finals. Rules for the Qualifying Problem and the National Finals will be sent out with the Qualifying Problem Future Scene. A number of adult teams (number to be decided once we see how many registrations there are) will be invited to the National Finals in Auckland in October. Teams will compete on the Saturday afternoon and will be invited back to the Awards Ceremony on Sunday afternoon. Adult participants are not eligible for the International Finals at this stage.
 * Outline of the year:**
 * Due dates for Problems 1 – 3:**

//(Qualifying Problem Future Scene will be posted out on Monday 22nd August)//
 * Problem 1** - Thursday 7th April - 4pm
 * Problem 2** - Thursday 30th June - 4pm
 * Qualifying Problem** - Wednesday 7th September - 4pm

Since some Adult contestants may be coaches in the programme, a separate future scene will be provided for these participants. Team (4 Participants): $140 plus GST Individual: $65 plus GST Adult Division teams do not need to have a coach, but you should nominate one team member to be the primary contact. **Topic Descriptors 2011:** **Problem One:** **Healthy Living** Fast foods, convenience foods, stress, multi-tasking, working vacations...all of these are affecting our lives today, resulting in a generation of people with disorders that were unknown twenty-five years ago. Illnesses related to stress and a fast-paced lifestyle seem to be part and parcel of the intensity at which people are living today. These conditions include both physical and psychological conditions such as broken sleep patterns, obesity, lack of physical exercise, ADHD, and mood swings – to name just a few. What impact (social, economic, political, etc.) will these unhealthy habits have on the lives of the next generations? **Problem Two:** **Air Transport** Megaplanes carry larger passenger loads for longer and longer distances. Budget airlines offer cutthroat prices that threaten the viability of their competitors. Increased mechanical issues reflect the large number of aging aircraft still in service. High-paying passengers demand luxuries like extensive entertainment systems that require extra weight. Some airlines survive by becoming specialty carriers - one caters only to pets. Passengers complain of inefficiency and lack of privacy both in airports and on planes. Airport security continues to become more intense and invasive. Air traffic controllers complain of outdated systems and overwork. Manufacturers lose money when the air transport of manufactured goods is not dependable. What is the future of air travel? Will people continue to travel the globe in such large numbers or will they turn to other methods of transportation for their travel needs?
 * Registration Costs:**
 * Registration:**
 * To register, go to: [] **

Over the years we have made great strides in maximizing water quality. We have also developed innovative ways to clean up messes made in our streams, lakes, oceans. Filters have been devised and chemicals have been discovered that will neutralize many dangerous chemicals. While these solutions have dealt with industrial and household wastes, a new challenge has come in the back door. We are now finding drugs like Prozac, Ritalin, Adderall, Dexedrine, just to name a few, seeping into our water systems. Drugs pass through our bodies and enter the sewer systems every day. In many places, the water that is “cleaned” is water that is sent back to the drinking water sources. While many other pollutants have been filtered or neutralized, these systems do not filter or neutralize the many legal and illegal drugs that are being consumed today. We are finding these drugs in the bodies of humans and animals in the wild that have never had personal access to the drugs. Is finding new ways to filter or neutralize the water the answer or must we once again find ways to minimize the causes? **National Finals:** **Genetic Testing** Scientists are currently looking into the genetic testing of humans so that we will know if we are genetically prone to obesity, smoking, violence, etc. How will people respond to the availability of such tests? How much will be shared with insurance companies and law enforcement agencies? Examples: If health insurance companies know that you will become obese and need treatment for obesity related diseases, they may charge you more or cancel your coverage. If you are genetically prone to violence, you may be monitored by law enforcement agencies. In what other ways can this information be used? What are the benefits and drawbacks to genetic testing? Will some governments, employers, or insurance companies require it? Will genetic testing become the “Big Brother” of the future? **Date:** Monday 21st March **Venue:** St. Columba Centre, 40 Vermont St Ponsonby, AUCKLAND **Time:** 9:30 am – 3:30 pm **Facilitator:** Debbie Green **Date:** To Be Confirmed but likely to be during the first school holidays **Venue:** To Be Confirmed **Time:** 9:30 am – 3:30 pm
 * Problem Three:**
 * Water Quality**
 * WORKSHOPS FOR COACHES:**
 * __Auckland__**
 * __Christchurch__**

Until the new FPS website is operational, information is available at: |http://fpsnz2011.wikispaces.com/ Or contact: Robyn Boswell, National Director: rboswell@igrin.co.nz Ph 027554668 Julie Styan, Admin Director: admin@fpsnz.conz Ph 09 4274627
 * Further Information:**