What is FPS?

The Future Problem Solving Program

Future Problem Solving (FPS ) is a terrific way to create more creative students and improve a youngster's oral and written communication, research, and teamwork skills. FPS challenges students to apply information they have learned to some of the most complex issues facing society. Students are asked to think, to make decisions and, in some cases, to carry out their solutions. FPS is a yearlong program, open to students in grades 4-12, in which teams of four students learn a six-step problem solving process which they can then use to solve social and scientific problems set in the future. At regular intervals, the teams submit their work online to evaluators, who review it and return it with suggestions for improvement. Teams participating in the competitive aspect of the program will complete the third problem at a Qualifying Bowl in February. The top teams in the state are invited to the State Bowl in March, where they compete for the opportunity to represent Massachusetts at the International FPS Conference. Most schools participate in the team competition. Teachers can also incorporate the FPS process into curriculum units in the classroom, or participate in the Community Problem Solving, Scenario Writing or Scenario Performance components of the program. We invite you to learn more about the program by watching the video below or by contacting one of our Co-Affilaite Directors:

Bob Cattel, Co-Affiliate Director
Email: bob.cattel@gmail.com
Phone (617) 834-4743

Renée Hanscom, Co-Affiliate Director
Email: rmhanscom1@verizon.net
Phone: (781) 799-4826

For more infromation about Future Problem Solving Program International in Melbourne Florida, contact April Michele at (321) 768-0074 or check out their website www.fpspi.org

To purchase Resources/Tools and yearly Program Materials related to the Future Problem Solving Program International go to www.fpspimart.org.

2026-27 Future Problem Solving Massachusetts Calendar

Schedule of Events

Topics

2026-2027 FPS Topics

Practice Problem #1: Digital Dark Age

The Digital Dark Age is an inability to access previously collected documented files, photos, and other information stored in outdated file formats, software, or hardware. Data becomes corrupt, scarce, oo therwise inaccessible as technology changes and physical media decays.

Technology is constantly evolving with what once was considered revolutionary is now outdated, and progressively discarded. Information technology does not exist in a vacuum; digital media requires supplemental technologies to retrieve the information. Discs, drives, and other mediums can deteriorate. Even when preserved, the information can be lost without its specific reader. Proprietary file formats fall prey to the Digital Dark Age, as they are less widespread and preserving them increasingly difficult. Conservators and other data specialists strive to ensure digital information remains available. The Internet Archive is one of many organizations dedicated to preserving digital information for future generations. Updating files to modern formats has many obstacles, including expense, expertise, and equipment demands. Many archivists do not have the resources to update file formats for all items in their catalogues.

Practice Problem #2: Disappearing Cultures

Disappearing cultures, also called endangered or vanishing cultures, represent the unfortunate phenomenon where unique and often ancient ways of life, traditions, languages, and customs face the risk of extinction. These cultures are typically marginalized and/or indigenous. They are threatened by factors such as globalization, urbanization, assimilation, environmental changes, conflict, and government policies.

The loss of a culture is not merely the fading of customs and rituals; it often entails the disappearance of valuable knowledge, worldviews, and a rich tapestry of human heritage. Preserving and celebrating these diverse cultures is vital, not only for the communities themselves but for humanity as a whole. Culture contributes to the tapestry of human diversity and offers unique insights into alternative ways of living and understanding the world. Efforts to document, protect, and revitalize endangered cultures are ongoing, emphasizing the need for respect, cooperation, and the preservation of cultural diversity in an increasingly interconnected world.

Qualifying Problem: Influencer Marketing

Influencers combine marketing with their presence in the public eye to persuade others. By establishing devoted fan bases for specific brands and profiting from their visibility, they have revolutionized the advertising industry. Marketing influencers impact a variety of platforms such as online sources, television, music, and print media. These strategies aim to build trust and credibility by associating products with a respected figure, thereby influencing consumer behavior.

Influential media is a complex marketing environment. Influencers shape consumer behavior with seemingly authentic recommendations. This type of media has developed hybrid advertising, blending personal and commercial messaging. Brands invest heavily in these collaborations because they can easily reach targeted audiences, especially younger viewers. Combining personal content and advertising raises complex transparency, authenticity, and consumer trust issues. The industry now struggles to preserve credibility while maximizing profits.ment but also fields like education, cognitive science, and virtual reality.

Affiliate Final (State Bowl): Health Security

Health security is a critical component of public health and global wellbeing, encompassing measures and strategies to protect populations from the threats of infectious diseases, biological hazards, and other health emergencies. It involves various activities, from disease surveillance, early detection, and rapid response to developing effective vaccines and medical countermeasures.

Health security efforts are essential for preventing, preparing for, and mitigating the impact of public health crises, such as pandemics, bioterrorism, and natural disasters. Recent events, like the COVID-19 pandemic, have underscored the importance of robust health security systems and international cooperation in safeguarding public health globally. Investments in health security infrastructure, research, and emergency preparedness are vital to ensuring the resilience of healthcare systems and the protection of communities and individuals in the face of health-related threats. ractices, especially in the context of technology and the digital landscape.

International Conference: Topic to be announced March 1, 2027

FPS Programs

Promoting Creative and Critical Thinking

Global Issues - Individual / Team Competition

Global Issues is the Individual / Team competition component of the program and is open to students in grades 4-12. An Individual student or Teams of up to four students learn the six-step future problem solving process which they then apply, along with their research on specific topics, to solve social and scientific problems. With the six-step FPS process, students are presented with a "Future Scene", which is a story set at least 20 years into the future. For the first step, students brainstorm challenges that the Future Scene presents. This step helps students refine their critical and creative thinking skills. The second step has the students focus one or more challenges generated in step one down to a clearly written problem statement referred called an Underlying Problem. In step three students brainstorm solution ideas intended on solving the Underlying Problem. In steps four and five, the students generate criteria used to evaluate their step three solutions. In step six the students take the top rated solution from step five and develop a detailed action plan.

Students using the six-step process develop brainstorming and focusing skills while working cooperatively and collaboratively in groups. GIPS Individuals and Teams work on two practice problems during the Fall and early Winter each year. Then in February, those students will complete a Qualifying Problem in two hours without their coach's assistance. GIPS Individuals and Teams who receive the highest evaluation for their Qualifying Problem will be invited to compete at the State Bowl in March.

The three grade level divisions are:

    • Junior Division: Grades 4-6
    • Middle Division: Grades 7-9
    • Senior Division: Grades 10-12

In October and December, GIPS Individuals and Teams will either complete an online booklet. Trained evaluators will review the booklets and return the evaluated booklets to the coaches / students with suggestions for improvement.

As mentioned before in February, students complete a Qualifying Problem (QP) in one two-hour time period without assistance from their coach. The top teams in the state -- based on responses to the QP -- are invited to the State Bowl in March, where they compete for the opportunity to represent Massachusetts at the International FPS Conference.

Fee:
$55 for Individual Problem Solvers (Internet)
$140 per team for Internet Teams (Early Birds $120 until October 31, 2026)

Deadline for submitting first practice problem: October 23, 2026

Final registration deadline: December 31, 2026

Community Projects

Community Projects individuals and teams identify a local or global problem, and work with community leaders and residents to research the problem and implement solutions. As an example, Leominster students have worked with town officials to explore the feasibility of a sludge composting plant, which would save the cost of trucking sludge to Fitchburg. Funds saved could pay for methane gas recovery from the closed landfill and other civic projects.

Any coach who has participated in the FPS program or who has completed a FPS training session may coach a CmPS individual or team. Up to 15 (fifteen) students may be members of a CmPS team.

Fee:
$55 for an individual
$135 per team

Deadline for submitting Project Proposal: December 31, 2026
Deadline for submitting Project Report: March 6, 2027

Creative Writing

Creative Writing gives students the opportunity to combine their problem solving and creative writing talents. Individual students are invited to write scenarios (short stories with a maximum length of 1500 words) set at least 20 years in the future and based on one of the topics for the current competition season.

Fee:
$30 per student entry
Deadline for Creative Writing entries: January 16, 2027

Storytelling

The Storytelling program provides an opportunity to create and present an original oral narrative based on one of the topics for the current competition season. Students learn to thoroughly research a real world issue and then imagine possible outcomes of future actions or events.

Storytellers develop a creative, futuristic narrative to entertain and inform listeners. The Storytelling program strives to help students enlarge, enrich, and make more accurate their image of the future, while refining their composition skills. Instead of writing out the story in full, students tell their story in a more natural oral performance.

Fee:
$30 per student entry
Deadline for submitting Storytelling videos: January 16, 2027


The following video is the Middle Division 1st Place Storytelling champion from last year's International Conference.

Coach Registration

Registering Your Teams with FPS

Registration is now closed

Registration will begin Monday September 7, 2026

Coach and Team Materials

Accessing FPS Materials

All FPS Materials are available within registered Coach and Student accounts.

Capture new insight into essential 21st Century Skills.

FPSLS provides accessible and research-based tools to identify and build individual and team skills and increase classroom and workplace efficiency.