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About Us

Future Problem Solving Florida

Each year Florida students compete in a variety of academic challenges designed to empower curious youth to become changemakers. Our K-12 educational programs help young people gain skills they need to succeed in work and life.

Grades K-12

Grades K-12

Students compete in three divisions: junior (grades 4 to 6), middle (grades 7 to 9), and senior (grades 10 to 12). There is also a non-competitive program for grades K to 9.

Team and Individual Options

Team and Individual Options

Problem solvers may work on challenges and projects in teams or on an individual basis.

5 Annual Topics

5 Annual Topics

Each school year, students get 3-5 opportunities, based on their progress locally and in the Florida Affiliate Finals, to solve important global challenges.

5Cs of Learning

5Cs of Learning

Our interdisciplinary problem-solving process infuses important 21st Century Learning skills throughout all our programs and aligns with a wide variety of education standards.

FL Affiliate Leadership

FL Affiliate Leadership

Michelle Marshall
Florida Affiliate Director
florida@futureproblemsolving.org

Our Competition Programs

Explore our educational challenges

Global Issues

Students use imagined “what if” future scenarios to describe real world problem situations needing to be solved. They become mini-experts and develop action plans to address important global challenges.
Learn More >

Community Projects

Students apply our problem-solving process in their communities to create lasting change. Participants learn to turn their interests into action and gain more choice and voice in their own learning.
Learn More >

Creative Writing

Students write a creative, futuristic, original story based on a competition topic. They write 1,500 words or less imagining the logical outcome of actions or events set at least 20 years in the future.
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Storytelling

Students invent a futuristic narrative using one of the competition topics. They tell their story as if the future were the present in a five minute oral performance to showcase their creativity.
Learn More >

Learning Problem Solving

This year-long non-competitive program is designed for use in the regular classroom and introduces students to the skills used in our Global Issues program.

World Solutions Challenge 2026 (starts September 25)

Brevard County Scholarships Available: The 2026 Invasive Species challenge virtual competition window is September 25 through October 20. This challenge is an introductory experience to our signature Global Issues program for students in grades 5 to 8 who have not yet competed in Global Issues. Funds are available to waive the entry fee for up to 10 Brevard Public School Title 1 school teams. Contact us to learn more and register by September 15.
Learn More >

International Conference

Florida at the World Finals

Each year our Florida State Bowl winners are invited to compete alongside their peers from around the world at the Future Problem Solving’s International Conference.

Recent Florida Winners

2026-2027 Competition Season

Our real world issues engage and inspire students

Our topics represent important challenges from business, civics, society, science, and technology and serve as the thematic basis for given problem-solving situations. Each school year, students get multiple opportunities to solve important near-future global issues as they progress in local and regional competitions. Students may also choose to address a current local community issue with our Community Projects program.

Key Dates

October 9, 2026
Global Issues Practice Problem #1 Due
October 30, 2026
Community Projects Issue Due

December 11, 2026
Community Projects Proposal Due
December 18, 2026
Global Issues Practice Problem #2 Due

January 5, 2027
Creative Writing Entry Due
January 15, 2027
Storytelling Registration Due

February 1-12, 2027
(Dates Vary By District)
Global Issues Qualifying Problem Due
February 19, 2027
Community Projects Report Due

Florida Affiliate Finals
March 6, 2027
Storytelling Entry Due
March 7, 2027
Community Projects Digital Portfolio & Video Due
March 7-10, 2027
In-Person Event
Global Issues and MAGIC Finals
Action Plan Presentations
Community Projects Displays & Interviews
Creative Writing Finals
Storytelling Performances
Awards Ceremony (All Programs)

May 1, 2027
World Finals Registration Deadline

June 9-13, 2027
International Conference World Finals
University of Indiana, Bloomington
Learn More >

Download Full Schedule

Topics

Practice Problem #1

Practice Problem #1

Digital Dark Age

Science & Technology
In the digital dark age, how might we prioritize data to save and reduce the effects of information loss in the future?
Read More >

Practice Problem #2

Practice Problem #2

Disappearing Cultures

Civics & Society
How might the losses of endangered cultures across the world impact individuals and communities in the future?
Read More >

Qualifying Problem

Qualifying Problem

Influencer Marketing

Business & Economics
How might influencer marketing evolve as businesses strive to preserve their credibility while maximizing profits in the future?
Read More >

Affiliate Finals Problem

Affiliate Finals Problem

Health Security

Science & Technology
How might health security efforts prevent, prepare for, and mitigate the impact of public health crises in the future?
Read More >

World Finals Problem

World Finals Problem

Topic announced March 1, 2027

Future Problem Solving Florida Logo (Reverse)

Enrollment

Register today to start problem solving

Every team or individual competitor needs an adult to serve as their coach and primary contact for enrollment and communications with Future Problem Solving. The enrollment fees cover all instructional materials for student success as well as evaluation and feedback on their submissions. Visit our FAQs for more information about how registration works. School enrollment is due by October 31.

Enrollment Form

Our Approach

Building student agency

Real world topics engage and inspire students to learn the skills they need to succeed today and in the future.

Topic Center
Florida students at the FPS International Conference

Problem-Solving Method

Our proven 6-step process equips students with a problem-solving model to develop relevant action plans for any situation.

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FPS Florida Community Projects Team Reading

Futuristic Scenarios

Our future scenes are imagined storylines that present creative and futuristic problems to solve with current topic information.

Learn More >
FPS Florida Student with Flamingo Boa

Authentic Assessment

Our rubric-based evaluations provide learner-focused feedback to assess student learning and strengthen important skills.

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Student Showcase

Lifetime skills on display

The skills our students develop ensure they are well equipped to solve complex problems in their future work and life.
Resources Library

Future Problem Solving Florida

Learn more and get started

FAQs

Check out the answers to common Future Problem Solving questions.

Helpful Links

Future Problem Solving Global Issues 6-Steps Demo
FPS Florida Program Flyer 2026-2027
FPS Florida Season Competition Schedule 2026-2027
What does the 6-step problem-solving process look like?
Quick Start Guide: Global Issues
Quick Start Guide: Community Projects
Quick Start Guide: Creative Writing
Quick Start Guide: Storytelling
Quick Start Guide: Learning the 6-step problem solving approach

Contact Us

Have questions or need help? Please fill out the form to contact us.

Our Online Store

Curricular Resources

Registered coach? Find the research, tools, and flexible activities you need to prepare for competition success this 2026-2027 problem-solving season. Visit our store.

Global Issues

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FPS Community Projects Program Materials for Sale 2026-2027

Community Projects

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FPS Creative Writing Program Materials for Sale 2026-2027

Creative Writing

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Storytelling

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Future Problem Solving Florida Affiliate Seal (FPS Florida)

Our problem solvers learn how to think, not what to think, and gain lifelong skills

Established in 1981, Future Problem Solving Florida is an accredited member of Future Problem Solving’s international global network. Florida Future Problem Solving Program Inc. is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Federal Tax ID: 59-3549484

Follow FPS Florida on Facebook

florida@futureproblemsolving.org

Future Problem Solving Florida

2026 World Finals Winners

GLOBAL ISSUES – TEAM
9th Place Middle
Emma, Ethan, Ben, Nicholas – Lake Highland Preparatory School 

GLOBAL ISSUES – INDIVIDUAL
4th Place Junior
Sannvi – West Melbourne School for Science 
4th Place Senior
Eshan – West Shore Jr/Sr High School 

GLOBAL ISSUES – MAGIC
3rd Place Junior
Christopher – Lake Highland Preparatory School
(with teammates from New Jersey, Utah, Washington)
4th Place Junior
Jai – Lake Highland Preparatory School
(with teammates from New Jersey, Texas, Washington)
3rd Place Middle
Jaouhar – Gotha Middle School
(with teammates from Nebraska, New Jersey, Washington)
2nd Place Senior
Muhammad – Flagler Palm Coast High School
(with teammates from Kentucky, Ohio, Texas)

COMMUNITY PROJECTS
1st Place Junior Individual
Colorful Kindness – West Melbourne School for Science
Suchita
4th Place Junior Team
The Positivity Patrol 
Abdo, Cole, Austin, Cece, Aspen, Derrick, Ethan, Mira, Nathanelle, Jordy – Rymfire Elementary
2nd Place Middle Individual
Stitch Space – Indian Trails Middle School
Mia
4th Place Middle TeamMoney Minds – Lake Highland Preparatory School 
Aarav, Shiva, Sohith
3rd Place Senior TeamSave Our Lagoon – West Shore Jr/Sr High School
Shriya, Eshan, Raaha, Sid, Joseph

CREATIVE WRITING
1st Place Middle
Sanjana – Lake Highland Preparatory School
6th Place Senior
Eva – Matanzas High School

STORYTELLING
1st Place Middle
Zachary – Lake Highland Preparatory School

Future Problem Solving
Celebrating world-class Kentucky success

Congratulations to all our recent World Finals winners

We are excited to continue Kentucky’s rich history of success on the Future Problem Solving world stage including this year’s world champion middle division Global Issues team.

 

Global Issues – Team

  • 2026 5th Place Junior – Henry, Brielle, Laikyn, Hannah (Northern Middle School)
  • 2026 Honorable Mention Junior – Peyton, Paige, Parker, Keilin (Eden Elementary)
  • 2026 1st Place Middle – London, Cameryn, Owen, Ezra (Northern Middle School)
  • 2026 3rd Place Senior – Kenny, Ella, Wyatt, Edin (South Warren High School)
  • 2026 7th Place Senior – Katie, Naren, Anvi, Shiva (Paul Laurence Dunbar High School)
  • 2026 Honorable Mention Senior – Carleigh, Adara, Lin, Paris (Johnson Central High School)
  • 2025 7th Place Junior – Reese, Jazmine, Adabelle, Lily Kate (W.B. Muncy Elementary)
  • 2025 2nd Place Senior – Vayla, Madison, Aubrey, Brooklyn (Calloway County High School)
  • 2025 8th Place Senior – Carleigh, Adara, Lin, Paris (Johnson Central High School)
  • 2024 1st Place Senior  – Daniel, Lilia, Baylor, Ella (South Warren High School)
  • 2024 2nd Place Senior – Cole, Constance, Hannah, Dakota (Johnson Central High School)

 

Global Issues – Individual

  • 2025 1st Place Junior – Emma (Lexington Christian Academy)
  • 2025 4th Place Middle – Abigail (Pulaski County High School)
  • 2024 3rd Place Middle – Lin (Johnson Central High School)
  • 2024 5th Place Senior – Madison (Calloway County High School)

 

Global Issues – Action Plan Presentation

  • 2025 3rd Place Senior – Jack, Riya, Allison, Brennen, Gavin, Victoria (McCracken County High School)
  • 2024 2nd Place Junior – London, Cameryn, Owen, Ezra (Northern Middle School)
  • 2024 2nd Place Senior – Constance, Hannah, Cole, Dakota, Eli, Adara, Paris (Johnson Central High School)
  • 2024 3rd Place Senior – Riya, Allison, Jack, Gavin, Brennen (McCracken County High School)

 

Global Issues – MAGIC

  • 2026 2nd Place Senior – Ethan (South Warren High School) with students from Florida, Ohio, Texas
  • 2026 4th Place Senior – Bonnie (Johnson Central High School) with students from Ohio, Texas
  • 2025 1st Place Junior – Saylor (W.B. Muncy Elementary) with students from Illinois, Singapore, Washington
  • 2025 1st Place Middle – Trey (Northern Middle School) with students from California, Florida, Washington
  • 2025 1st Place Senior – Sam (McCracken County High School) with students from Illinois, New Jersey, Ohio
  • 2025 3rd Place Senior – Bonnie (Johnson Central High School) with students from California, New Zealand, Washington

 

Community Projects

  • 2025 Beyonder Award – The FAST! Project: Lily (West Carter High School)
  • 2024 3rd Place Junior – Project Keep It Clean: Nathaniel, Alexis, Amy, Slate, Abe, and Jase (W.R. Castle Elementary School)

 

Creative Writing

  • 2024 5th Place Senior – Brianna (Central Hardin High School)

 

Storytelling

  • 2026 2nd Place Junior – Vibhav (Bondurant Middle School)
  • 2025 2nd Place Junior – Rose (Rich Pond Elementary School)

 

World Solutions Challenge

  • 2025 Junior Honorable Mention – Saneesh, Shree (Noe Middle School, Kentucky Country Day School)
  • 2024 2nd Place – Hillary, Hollyn, Samantha (Calloway County High School)

Future Problem Solving Indiana

2026 World Finals Winners

CREATIVE WRITING

2nd Place Middle
Jack – Lake Central High School

Future Problem Solving Alabama

2024 World Finals Winners

GLOBAL ISSUES – MAGIC

1st Place Middle

Grace – School ?

(with teammates from Australia, California, Washington)

CREATIVE WRITING

6th Place Junior

Adleigh – JCIB Middle School

Future Problem Solving Nebraska

2026 World Finals Winners

GLOBAL ISSUES – INDIVIDUAL
1st Place Senior
Brett – Aurora High School 

GLOBAL ISSUES – ACTION PLAN PRESENTATION
1st Place Middle
Aurora Middle School 
Rhett, Owen, Cason, Emily, Lauren

GLOBAL ISSUES – MAGIC
3rd Place Middle
Lauren – Aurora Middle School 
(with teammates from Florida, New Jersey, Washington)

2025 World Finals Winners

GLOBAL ISSUES – TEAM
10th Place Junior
Aurora Middle School
Rhett, Owen, Cason, Emily

GLOBAL ISSUES – INDIVIDUAL
1st Place Senior
Brett – Aurora High School

GLOBAL ISSUES – MAGIC
1st Place Senior
Brooklyn – North Bend Central Middle School
(with teammates from Florida, New Jersey, Texas)

GLOBAL ISSUES – ACTION PLAN PRESENTATION
1st Place Junior
Aurora Middle School
Laramie, Emmersen, Sammy, Landon
3rd Place Junior
Aurora Middle School
Rhett, Owen, Cason, Emily, Miles

Future Problem Solving Virginia

2026 World Finals Winners
(International Conference)
GLOBAL ISSUES – MAGIC
2nd Place Junior
Aimee – Alpha STEM for the Gifted
(with teammates from France, North Carolina, Washington)
CREATIVE WRITING
2nd Place Senior
Jordan – Northumberland High School

2025 World Solutions Challenge Winners
(Virtual Event)
RISING SEA LEVELS
1st Place Junior
Arjun and Sai – Gum Spring Middle School

2025 World Finals Winners
(International Conference)
GLOBAL ISSUES – INDIVIDUAL
5th Place Junior
Connor – Academy for Discovery at Lakewood 

2024 World Finals Winners
(International Conference)
CREATIVE WRITING 
1st Place Senior
Nicola – H-B Woodlawn Secondary Program

Our pilot Visual Arts program (only available for middle and senior division students) provides an opportunity for those with artistic ability to present original artwork that brings their image of the future to life. The real world issues we use engage and inspire learning.

How it Works

Artists develop a creative, futuristic piece of art to entertain and inform audiences using our annual topics as inspiration for their artistic expression. Students learn to thoroughly research a real world issue and make a prediction of the future using our 6-step problem-solving process. They relate their vision through a two- or three-dimensional piece of artwork (judged via photos in the two qualifying rounds) along with a 100 word description. Artists compete as individuals. We invite regional winners to attend our Virginia State Bowl to showcase their artwork live (or via photos if their art is not transportable) and compete in our state finals competition in-person.

Future Problem Solving Pennsylvania

2026 World Finals Winners

GLOBAL ISSUES
2nd Place Middle Team
Eli, Austin, Alex, Steven – Thomas Jefferson High School 
Honorable Mention Middle Team
Maiia, Maya, Annalise, Lalita Kriti – Neshaminy High School
6th Place Junior Individual
Stella – Wissahickon Middle School

2024 World Finals Winners

GLOBAL ISSUES – MAGIC
1st Place Junior
Savannah – Poquessing Middle School
(with teammates from Mississippi, Ohio, Utah)

Future Problem Solving West Virginia

2025 World Finals Winners

CREATIVE WRITING

4th Place Senior
Dashiell – Morgantown High School

5th Place Junior
Iris – Mountaineer Middle School

Future Problem Solving Illinois

2026 World Finals Winners

4th Place Junior (Action Plan Presentation)
Coonley Elementary – 
Kit, Maddie, Abby, Abby, Quinn

4th Place Middle (Action Plan Presentation)
Prescott Elementary School –
Olivia, Finnegan, Salila, Dominic

2nd Place Middle (Community Projects Individual)
Helping Future Fifth Graders – Coonley Elementary

5th Place Senior (Creative Writing)
Chloe – Walter Payton College Prep

2nd Place Middle (Global Issues MAGIC)
Alexandra – Coonley Elementary
(with teammates from Massachusetts, Washington, and Wisconsin)

3rd Place Junior (Global Issues Individual)
Glenbrook Elementary – Teresa

Honorable Mention Junior (Global Issues Individual)
Coonley Elementary –
Kit, Maddie, Abby, Abby

Honorable Mention Senior (Global Issues Individual)
Walter Payton College Prep –
Brian, Kelly, Marlina

Future Problem Solving North Carolina

2026 World Finals Winners

GLOBAL ISSUES – INDIVIDUAL
2nd Place Junior
Myra – Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy
2nd Place Middle
Anya – Ardrey Kell High School 
3rd Place Senior
Mahi – Providence High School 

GLOBAL ISSUES – TEAM
Honorable Mention Junior
Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy
Aadhya, Sahithi, Rupa, Sanvi
Honorable Mention Junior
Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy
Shreyan, Dhruv, Anvi, Shwetha
6th Place Middle
Charlotte Latin School, Myers Park High School, Northwest School of the Arts
Emma, Eliza, Luke, Eliza
Honorable Mention Middle
Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy, Telra Institute
Aparna, Reet, Aathmika, Avanthika

GLOBAL ISSUES – ACTION PLAN PRESENTATION
2nd Place Senior
Providence High School, Ballantyne Ridge High School, Audrey Kell High School
Bhadra, Neha, Lily, Amina, Anya 
4th Place Senior
Ballantyne Ridge High School 
Tanishi, Cameron, Richa, Shradha
Finalist Middle
Charlotte Latin School, Myers Park High School, Northwest School of the Arts
Emma, Eliza, Luke, Eliza

GLOBAL ISSUES – MAGIC
1st Place Junior
Hridhaan – Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy
(with teammates from France, Washington)
2nd Place Junior
Shourya – Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy
(with teammates from France, Virginia, Washington)
1st Place Middle
Sanvi – Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy
(with teammates from France, Washington)

CREATIVE WRITING
7th Place Middle
Liz – Ardrey Kell High School

2025 World Finals Winners

GLOBAL ISSUES – TEAM
1st Place Middle (Team)
Summer, Neha, Nora, Varin – Providence High School & Marvin Ridge High School
2nd Place Junior (Team)
Risha, Jasmine, Annam, Dia – Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy
8th Place Senior(Team)
Griffin, Darden, Caroline, Caroline – Myers Park High School

GLOBAL ISSUES – INDIVIDUAL
3rd Place Middle (Individual)
Anya – Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy
8th Place Junior (Team)
Yukta, Yuvan, Aathmika, Sohini – Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy
9th Place Junior (Team)
Aparna, Reet, Iraa, Avanthika – Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy

COMMUNITY PROJECTS
1st Place Middle (Individual)
CentSafari – Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy
Anya
4th Place Senior (Team)
Seeds of Change – Ardrey Kell High School
Rutwa, Claire, Meadow, Ziyu

CREATIVE WRITING
2nd Place Middle
Liz – Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy
5th Place Senior
Summer – Providence High School

Future Problem Solving Mississippi

State Finals Winners at the World Finals

GLOBAL ISSUES – INDIVIDUAL

2025

1st Place Middle
Jessica – Grenada FPS Club

GLOBAL ISSUES – MAGIC

2024

1st Place Junior
Jessica – Grenada FPS Club
(With teammates from Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Utah)

2023

2nd Place Middle
Mary – Grenada FPS Club
(With teammates from around the world)

Future Problem Solving Georgia

2025 World Finals

GLOBAL ISSUES – MAGIC

2nd Place Junior
Danika – Mary Lin Elementary
(with teammates from Florida, Singapore, Washington)

Future Problem Solving Ohio

2026 World Finals Winners

GLOBAL ISSUES – TEAM
Honorable Mention Middle
Solon High School, Solon Middle School 
Akshara, Marina, Nandan, James
8th Place Senior
Solon High School, Solon Middle School 
Vedanshi, Mannat, Charvi, Sofia

GLOBAL ISSUES – INDIVIDUAL
5th Place Senior
Nandita – Solon High School 

GLOBAL ISSUES – MAGIC
2nd Place Senior
Steve – Solon High School
(with teammates from Florida, Kentucky, Texas)
4th Place Senior
Rebecca – Solon High School
(with teammates from Kentucky, Texas)

COMMUNITY PROJECTS
1st Place Senior (Individual)
S.T.R.A.P. the Stroke
Nandita – Solon High School

Future Problem Solving Utah

2026 World Finals Winners

GLOBAL ISSUES – INDIVIDUAL
6th Place Middle
Wesley – Wasatch Junior High School 

GLOBAL ISSUES – MAGIC
3rd Place Junior
Naomi – West Valley Elementary
(with teammates from Florida, New Jersey, Washington)
4th Place Middle
Sami – Wasatch Junior High School
(with teammates from Australia, New Jersey, Washington)

2025 World Finals Winners

CREATIVE WRITING
1st Place Junior
Gisele – Churchill Junior High

Future Problem Solving Iowa

2026 World Finals Winners

GLOBAL ISSUES – TEAM
1st Place Junior
Eastern Iowa Home Schoolers and Pathway Christian School
Jeremiah, Josiah, Zachariah, Mateo
Honorable Mention Middle
Eastern Iowa Home Schoolers 
Lydia, Cecilia, Patrick, Asher
2nd Place  Senior
Eastern Iowa Home Schoolers 
Katelynn, Molly, Noelle

GLOBAL ISSUES – INDIVIDUAL
6th Place Senior
Noah – Ames High School 

CREATIVE WRITING
5th Place Junior
Josiah – Eastern Iowa Home Schoolers 

STORYTELLING
1st Place Junior
Zachariah – Eastern Iowa Home Schoolers

2025 World Finals Winners

GLOBAL ISSUES – ACTION PLAN PRESENTATIONS
4th Place Senior
Eastern Iowa Home Schoolers
Ciaran, Gabby, Katelynn, Molly, Noelle

Future Problem Solving Missouri

2026 World Finals Winners

GLOBAL ISSUES – TEAM
10th Place Senior
Marquette High School, Ladue Horton Watkins High School, John Burroughs School*
Alex, Isabella, Steven, Wangshu

GLOBAL ISSUES – MAGIC
1st Place Senior
Sophia – Ladue Horton Watkins High School*
(with teammates from California, New Zealand, Texas)

CREATIVE WRITING
3rd Place Senior
Alex – Ladue Horton Watkins High School*

2025 World Finals Winners

GLOBAL ISSUES – TEAM
3rd Place Senior
Marquette High School, Ladue Horton Watkins High School, John Burroughs School*
Alex, Isabella, Steven, Wangshu

GLOBAL ISSUES – INDIVIDUAL
3rd Place Senior
Anthony – Ladue Horton Watkins High School*

CREATIVE WRITING
2nd Place Senior
Alex – Ladue Horton Watkins High School*
* Coached by Private Tutor

Future Problem Solving Open Affiliate

2026 World Finals Winners

GLOBAL ISSUES – TEAM

6th Place Senior – Charles-Henri, Naima, Beatrice (Royal West Academy, Canada)

Honorable Mention Middle  – Sara, Carla, Pablo, Sancho (Coruña British International School, Spain)

GLOBAL ISSUES – ACTION PLAN PRESENTATIONS

5th Place Senior – Charles-Henri, Naima, Beatrice (Royal West Academy, Canada)

GLOBAL ISSUES – MAGIC

1st Place Junior – Chenxi (Institut Notre Dame, France) with North Carolina and Washington students

2nd Place Junior – Loïc (Institut Notre Dame, France) with North Carolina, Virginia, and Washington students

1st Place Middle – Marie-Thérèse (Institut Notre Dame, France) with North Carolina and Washington students

COMMUNITY PROJECTS – TEAM

1st Place Middle  – Upper Valley Indoor Air Quality: Coop, Hans, Hugo, Oliver (Crossroads Academy, Richmond Middle School, Marion Cross Elementary School, New Hampshire)

Future Problem Solving New Jersey

2026 World Finals Winners

GLOBAL ISSUES – TEAM
8th Place Junior
Ramapo Ridge Middle School 
Daniel, Elizabeth, Aaron, Miru
Honorable Mention Senior
Mahwah High School 
Lillian, Lysia, Avani, Albert

GLOBAL ISSUES – MAGIC
3rd Place Junior
Indigo – Cedar Hill Preparatory School
(with teammates from Florida, Utah, Washington)
4th Place Junior
Isra – Cedar Hill Preparatory School
(with teammates from Florida, Texas, Washington)
3rd Place Middle
Madeleine – Mahwah High School
(with teammates from Florida, Nebraska, Washington)
4th Place Middle
Dishita – West Windsor-Plainsboro High School North
(with teammates from Australia, Utah, Washington)
3rd Place Senior
Aarya – West Windsor-Plainsboro High School North 
(with teammates from Australia, Texas, Washington)

COMMUNITY PROJECTS
1st Place Middle (Individual)
Breakthrough
Kahil – Grover Middle School
1st Place Senior (Team)
CONNECT
Sravya, Slesha – West Windsor-Plainsboro High School North 
2nd Place Senior (Individual)
MicroWise
Anvi – West Windsor-Plainsboro High School North

CREATIVE WRITING
6th Place Middle
Ira – Robbinsville High School
7th Place Senior
Aarya – West Windsor-Plainsboro High School South

Future Problem Solving New Jersey

2025-2026 Season Fees

Global Issues

Teams (4 students): $130 per team

Individuals: $60 per student

Community Projects

Teams (up to 15 students): $160 per team

Individuals: $160 per student

Creative Writing 

Individuals: $30 per student

Storytelling

Individuals: $30 per student

Learning Problem Solving

Teams (1 to 4 students): $40 per team

Future Problem Solving Students – A Five Year Study

(2016)

A Comparison of Reading and Mathematics Performance Between Students Participating in a Future Problem Solving Program and Nonparticipants

Data from the The Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) was collected by Grandview Middle School and provided to Scholastic Testing Service, Inc. for statistical analysis.


Findings reported by Scholastic Testing Service, Inc. Performance data on the MCA was collected from 2010-2014 for students in grade 6 at Grandview Middle School in Mound, MN (Westonka Public School District). Students were identified as either FPS: students participating in a Future Problem Solving program, or Non-FPS: students not participating in the program. Summary statistics using Reading and Mathematics Scaled Scores were developed for each group of students by year and across years. To determine if the mean scores across the years were significantly different, t-tests were used. A Cohen’s d test was then performed to measure the effect of the size of the found differences.

In all cases, students participating in the Future Problem Solving Program performed significantly higher on the MCA in both areas of Mathematics and Reading.

Effects of Group Training in Problem-Solving Style on Future Problem-Solving Performance

(2017)

The Journal of Creative Behavior (JCB) of the Creative Education Foundation

Seventy-five participants from one suburban high school formed 21 teams with 3–4 members each for Future Problem Solving (FPS). Students were selected to participate in either the regular FPS or an enhanced FPS, where multiple group training activities grounded in problem-solving style were incorporated into a 9-week treatment period.

An ANCOVA procedure was used to examine the difference in team responses to a creative problem-solving scenario for members of each group, after accounting for initial differences in creative problem-solving performance, years of experience in FPS, and creative thinking related to fluency, flexibility, and originality. The ANCOVA resulted in a significant difference in problem-solving performance in favor of students in the treatment group (F(1, 57) = 8.21, p = .006, partial eta squared = .126, medium), while there were no significant differences in years of experience or creativity scores. This result led researchers to conclude that students in both groups had equivalent creative ability and that participation in the group activities emphasizing problem-solving style significantly contributed to creative performance.

In the comparison group, a total of 47% had scores that qualified for entry to the state competition. In contrast, 89% of the students in the treatment group had scores that qualified them for the state bowl. None of the teams from the comparison group qualified for the international competition, while two teams from the treatment group were selected, with one earning sixth place.

The results of this study suggest that problem-solving performance by team members can be improved through direct instruction in problem-solving style, particularly when there is a focus on group dynamics.

The Journal of Creative Behavior, Vol. 0, Iss. 0, pp. 1–12 © 2017 by the Creative Education Foundation, Inc. DOI: 10.1002/jocb.176

Future Problem Solving Program International—Second Generation Study

(2011)

“How important was Future Problem Solving in the development of your following skill sets?”

In 2011, a team of researchers from the University of Virginia submitted a report titled “Future Problem Solving Program International—Second Generation Study.” (Callahan, Alimin, & Uguz, 2012). The study, based on a survey, collected data from over 150 Future Problem Solving alumni to understand the impact of their participation in Future Problem Solving as students or volunteers.

 
Percentage of Alumni Rating Important and Extremely Important in Developing Skill Sets
  • 96% Look at the “Big Picture”
  • 93% Critical Thinking
  • 93% Teamwork and Collaboration
  • 93% Identify and Solve Problems
  • 93% Time Management
  • 90% Researching
  • 90% Evaluation and Decision Making
  • 86% Creativity and Innovation
  • 86% Written Communication
 
The report captured alumni’s positive experiences as students in Future Problem Solving and documented that the alumni continued to utilize the FPS-structured approach to solving problems in their adult lives.

Evaluation of the Future Problem Solving Program

(2011)

Data was obtained from 220 coaches, 633 students, 195 parents, and 34 affiliate directors nationally and internationally

The Center for Creative Learning, USA (Treffinger, Selby, and Crumel) completed an international evaluation of Future Problem Solving including three competitive programs (Global Issues, Community Projects, and Creative Writing). Surveys ascertained 1,082 respondents’ views of: the extent to which Future Problem Solving and its programs meet their stated goals, the strengths of the programs and areas for improvement, and the impact of the program on its participants.

All respondents with current experience participating in each program rated a comprehensive list of 11-12 skills using a 5-point Likert scale. The adult groups identified the impact on participating students’ learning and growth, and the students identified what skills their participation helped them with the most.

 
Top 5 Most Impactful Skills Identified by Program

GLOBAL ISSUES

Adults – Coaches and Affiliate Directors (151)

  • Learning about complex issues that will shape the future (4.60)
  • Developing teamwork and collaboration, working together and cooperating with each other (4.39)
  • Fostering critical thinking (the ability to sort and sift information or to focus one’s thinking) (4.29)
  • Developing an active interest in the future (4.29)
  • Developing the skills needed to manage time effectively (4.02)

 

Students (242)

  • Learning about topics that will have important effects on the future. (4.14)
  • Working together and cooperating with others (4.13)
  • Thinking of many different and unusual ideas (3.99)
  • Helping become a better leader (3.90)
  • Deciding on the best solution to a problem (3.87)

 

COMMUNITY PROJECTS

Adults – Coaches and Affiliate Directors (64)

  • Enhancing the skills of preparing and delivering materials and/or presentations that communicate ideas effectively (4.76)
  • Developing teamwork and collaboration (working together, cooperating with each other)(4.56)
  • Developing leadership skills (4.56)
  • Showing evidence that team members are able to apply FPS skills in other situations (4.30)
  • Developing the skills needed to manage time effectively (4.27)

 

Students (107)

  • Working together and cooperating with others (4.33)
  • Feeling that I can make a difference in shaping the future (4.13)
  • Deciding on the best solution to a problem (4.07)
  • Helping me become a better leader (3.97)
  • Thinking of many different and unusual ideas (3.96)

 

CREATIVE WRITING

Adults – Coaches and Affiliate Directors (82)

  • Enhancing and expanding writing skills (4.39)
  • Developing an active interest in the future (4.11)
  • Learning about complex issues that will shape the future (4.10)
  • Thinking and researching futuristically (4.06)
  • Fostering creative thinking (the ability to generate many, varied, and unusual options (3.98)

 

Students (146)

  • Thinking and researching futuristically (4.08)
  • Developing better writing skills (4.05)
  • Learning about topics that will have important effects on the future (3.99)
  • Thinking of many different and unusual ideas (3.92)
  • Finding information in many different places (3.69)

 

Note, 88% of parents were satisfied with the Future Problem Solving program their youngster(s) participated in and a majority of parents with eligible students anticipated a high level of interest in participating again next year (60.9%).

Alumni Top 5 Most Impactful Skills on Their Development

A group of 48 alumni also responded to surveys focused on their past experiences and the impact those experiences had on their development into adulthood. Approximately 8 in 10 reported Future Problem Solving was very helpful or extremely helpful in secondary school (81%), in academic work after high school (78%), and in other life experiences outside school or academic work (81%). Looking back on their experience, the aspects below were rated the five most important and valuable.

  • Learning ways to think of many different and unusual ideas (4.75)
  • Learning how to choose the best solution for a problem (4.42)
  • Learning how to work or collaborate with others (4.41)
  • Developing better writing skills (4.36)
  • Learning a specific process for solving problems (4.35)
 
Results indicated strong overall satisfaction with Future Problem Solving among all stakeholder groups, as well as evidence of positive impact on academic and real-life accomplishments and personal relationships.

 

5-point Likert scale:
Adults: 1 = Little or no impact, 2 = Limited impact, 3 = Moderate impact, 4 = High impact, 5 = Exceptional impact
Students: 1= Hasn’t helped me at all, 2 = Helped me just a little, 3 = Helped me = “Okay”, 4 = Helped me quite a bit, 5= Really a great help to me
Alumni: 1=Not Important, 2=Of Little Importance, 3=Somewhat Important, 4=Very Important, 5=Extremely Important

April Michele

April Michele Bio

Executive Director

A seasoned educator, April Michele has served as the Executive Director since 2018 and been with Future Problem Solving more than a decade. Her background in advanced curriculum strategies and highly engaging learning techniques translates well in the development of materials, publications, training, and marketing for the organization and its global network. April’s expertise includes pedagogy and strategies for critical and creative thinking and providing quality educational services for students and adults worldwide.

Prior to joining Future Problem Solving, April taught elementary and middle grades, spending most of her classroom career in gifted education. She earned the National Board certification (NBPTS) as a Middle Childhood/Generalist and later served as a National Board assessor for the certification of others. In addition, April facilitated the Theory and Development of Creativity course for the state of Florida’s certification of teachers. She has also collaborated on a variety of special projects through the Department of Education. Beyond her U.S. education credentials, she has been trained for the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (MYP) in Humanities.

A graduate of the University of Central Florida with a bachelor’s in Elementary Education and the University of South Florida with a master’s in Gifted Education, April’s passion is providing a challenging curriculum for 21st century students so they are equipped with the problem-solving and ethical leadership skills they need to thrive in the future. As a board member in her local Rotary Club, she facilitates problem solving in leadership at the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA). She is also a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) from the Project Management Institute and earned her certificate in Nonprofit Management from the Edyth Bush Institute at Rollins College.