Future Problem Solving
Teaching students how to think, not what to think
Future Problem Solving (FPS)
is a multi-disciplinary creative problem solving competition that
requires students to consider major issues in a futuristic context.
It was developed in 1974 by creativity expert Dr E Paul Torrance in
Georgia USA to answer what he saw as a need in youth, particularly
those who are gifted. FPS equips students with both vision and
skills, so they are better able to anticipate and solve problems.
Central to FPS is the Booklet Program through which students analyse and attempt to solve particular futuristic scenarios on topics as diverse as Smart Clothes, Child Labour, World Debt and Neurotechnology. Other components of the program are Community Problem Solving, where students find their own problem and apply the skills and processes of FPS as they work to devise and implement real-time solutions; and Scenario Writing where they write a 1500 word short story which must be set at least twenty years into the future, and written on one of the topics of the year.
Loreto has been involved in FPS since 1992. We introduce the program to students selected to be part of our gifted extension (Saunders) program in Year 7; and from Year 8 all students are welcome to try it as an extra-curricular activity. Over the years Loreto students have been particularly successful in this competition at national level and our teams and individuals have had the honour of representing Australia at the FPS International Conference on a number of occasions.
The benefits of this program are clearly explained by students who participated. Each of these girls competed overseas and was a high achiever at school.
“FPS taught me to think creatively, to write succinctly and to work in a team.”
Kelly Edmunds.
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“I am incredibly grateful that I became
involved in the program. I learnt the value of research and
organisation … how to analyse and evaluate, and to work my best
in a team and alone. I and many others have been equipped with
skills to do really well at FPS but also to succeed at life.”
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“The program has
had a great impact on shaping me into a more well-rounded,
imaginative and committed person ... and has helped me to
develop a keen interest in the future and what I can do to
change it for the better."
Anna Brzeska.
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“I learnt to challenge myself intellectually, to co-operate in a group, to innovate and imagine; and that has made all the difference in my final year.” Carolyn Casali. |
>>Link
to FPS Australia
>>Link to FPS International
