Global Issues Problem Solving (GIPS) is a competitive component of FPSPI which can be accomplished as a team (of 4) or individual activity in which participants research a series of global topics and learn a six-step creative problem solving process. Problem solvers apply their topic and creative problem solving knowledge to address a charge presented in an imagined situation, termed Future Scene.
Trained evaluators score student work and return it with feedback including suggestions for improvement. The top scoring teams and individuals on the qualifying problem are invited to affiliate FPS competitions. The winners of each respective affiliate FPS competition advance to the FPSP International Conference in June.
Scenario Writing is competition in which individuals (grades 4 – 12) develop short stories related to one of five FPS topics for the year. The story (1,500 words or less) is set at least 20 years in the future and is an imagined, but logical, outcome of actions or events taking place in the world today. The first place winner in each affiliate program is invited to the FPSP International Conference.
The Future Problem Solving program serves more than 260,000 students worldwide to develop young people globally to design and promote positive futures through problem solving using critical and creative thinking.