"More than ever, an education that emphasizes general problem solving skills
will be important. In a changing world, education is the best preparation
for being able to adapt." - Bill Gates, The Road Ahead
Opening doors to student imaginations since 1974, the Future Problem Solving
Program offers new and exciting learning paths.
Students (grades 4-8 experience the excitement of creative thinking and the
thrill of solving difficult problems with unique solution ideas when they
participate in FPSP.
The six-step Future Problem Solving model:
1. Identify Challenges in the Future Scene
2. Select an Underlying Problem
3. Produce Solution Ideas to the Underlying Problem
4. Generate and Select Criteria to Evaluate Solution Ideas
5. Apply Criteria to Solution Ideas
6. Develop an Action Plan
2009-10 Topic Order
Practice Problem # 1 Sensory Overload
Practice Problem # 2 Invasive Species
Affiliate Competition Orphaned Children
IC 2010 Food Distribution
Sensory Overload
Musak, iPods, cell phones, visual imagery, TV, advertising, the Internet, fusion food, exotic
restaurants, sports entertainment, animated billboards, and flashing signs are just a few examples of
the kinds of sensory input humans receive on a daily basis. The average supermarket has over
30,000 products and scientists have discovered that this overwhelming assault on our senses
impacts our brain-waves. Our senses are continually inundated in ways that would not have been
thought possible in our grandparents' and great grandparents' era. We embrace multitasking in all
areas of our lives even as investigators raise questions about its effectiveness and advisability. What
is the possible future impact of this sensory overload and how will we accommodate our need to
process increasing amounts of information?
Invasive Species
We find Asian long horned beetles in New York, Australian wattles found in Africa, and Canadian
geese in Europe. Globalization has led to increased human travel and trade, and as people move
around more, they bring with them species of plants, animals, and diseases from their home regions,
introducing these invasive species into non-native habitats. Such movement of species can harm
ecosystems, economies, and human health. Can such harm be effectively mitigated through
eradication and quarantine efforts, including mechanical, chemical, and biological controls? How
much of a role should governments play in these efforts, or should efforts be left to private
businesses and organizations? What role will increased globalization and global climate change play
in addressing these concerns or in making matters worse?
Orphaned Children
Throughout the world, places exist where acts of man and acts of nature have conspired to create
well over 100 million orphans who struggle to survive every day. Poverty and suffering are caused
by famine, disease, poor economic conditions, social decay, lack of social infrastructure, and natural
disasters. Whatever the reason, the results are the same as that of innocent children with no
parents, no home, and diminished chances of survival. These children often live in doorways and
makeshift tents, begging, stealing, or scrounging to find what little food they can. Alone and scared,
some orphans live on the streets while others live in underground sewers for protection from the
elements. Many live in crumbling orphanages where the children’s food, medicine, and clothing
reflect governments’ meager contribution of sometimes just a penny per day per child. What can be
done to change the conditions for these children? What will their future be? How do these situations
affect the world as a whole? If we truly believe that children are our future, what can be done to
generate sustainable opportunities for these children? Who should take the lead in creating these
opportunities – nonprofits, governments, or businesses?
Food Distribution
A global information and early warning system on food and agriculture was set up some years ago,
but the two main elements of the system of food security, namely food reserves and a better deal for
developing countries in agricultural trade, have made very little progress. Unlike developing
countries, the world’s richer states have controlled the bulk of surplus grains and could afford to pay
for and manage a system of food security. They did not need the surplus for themselves, but now
surpluses are shrinking as more grains are used for bio-fuels. Is it fair for the ‘haves’ to pay for the
‘have-nots’? How can we fairly and effectively make sure the world’s poorer inhabitants are fed?
What kind of threats, such as terrorism, transportation disruptions, or technological failures, may the
world’s food supply be subject to in the future, and how should these threats be dealt with?
Green Living
If the global environment is to be saved for future generations, many experts warn that more of the
world’s citizens need to participate in “green living.” This means using materials that reduce
pollution of all types in various aspects of daily life, thereby reducing consumption of fossil fuels,
and producing less waste. Homes, clothing, and other everyday items can be made of recycled
materials. Alternative energy sources such as solar and wind power can be used in the home or
office. But how necessary are these changes in the way people live? Do the benefits of change
justify the economic costs and personal inconveniences of green living? What other consequences of
change are likely to occur, and can these consequences be mitigated? If necessary, how can people
be persuaded to change the way they live for the sake of the planet’s future health and well-being?
Standards:
http://www.fpsp.org/Standards.pdf
