We are almost finished with the challenge class portion of Future Problem Solving. Students who are interested in competing on a school level will need to begin work in January on an afterschool basis. Please consider the following when making your decision about participating in competition: -We will meet afterschool at least one afternoon per week during January for 1-2 hours to review the FPS process and the new topic. These sessions are NOT mandatory although highly recommended. We typically use Wednesday tutoring time. -Students competing will need to study our new topic outside of class in addition to their regular class and challenge load. -The new topic is Children in Need. The subject matter is controversial in that the topic deals with how children around the world become orphans. We will be excluding the details on genocide and the specifics of how HIV/AIDS is contracted however; students may ask questions that lead to some limited conversation about these topics. Also, they may come home with some questions. We will supply you with the research information that we will be reading before you give your consent for competition. -Children who compete on the school level will be competing at school in early February. They will be with a team (teams will depend on students that choose to compete) for 3 hours in isolation while they complete the work. Their work will be sent to the FPSI team of evaluators at UGA for consideration for state competition. This competition is paid for by the Sarah Smith Education Foundation. State competition is in Athens, GA, the weekend of March 26-27. Students who make this level will travel to Athens with Ms. Carter, Mr. Firesheets and parent volunteers for an overnight trip (leave Friday morning and return Saturday afternoon). This will cost approximately $50 per person for hotel and food. The Sarah Smith Education Foundation pays competition fees.
Future Problem Solving is a wonderful opportunity for your child to experience academic competition. It is fun but hard work! Our teams tend to do very well at competition and we have won many awards throughout the years. Please email me with any questions and let me know if your child is interested in competition. I will then send you the research material to aid in your final decision and a permission slip stating that you understand the nature of the research materials.