FPS Pennsylvania

Yes, Future Problem Solving works well beyond the classroom in all the spaces and places young people learn. Some groups participate in community-based Future Problem Solving clubs not affiliated with any school. Other students choose to take part as individuals. Great out-of-school time options for doing Future Problem Solving include after-school enrichment settings, youth development programs, and independent learning channels.

Use the PA registration interest form to share your information with us. Once we receive your registration submission, we will generate an invoice for the regular season registration fees for payment. Fees are due prior to the submission of any student work.

What are the registration deadlines? 
We recommend registering by October 1. Early registration allows for feedback on both optional Global Issues practice problems. There is no reduction in fees for later registrations. Students may register to compete in multiple programs.

All school districts must pay an annual FPS Pennsylvania membership fee of $200 per school district which makes them eligible for volume discounts when they register multiple teams. There is no group membership fee for those registering independently of a school district or other large group.

Global Issues
PA Teams (4 students): $90 per team
PA Individuals: $55 per student

Creative Writing
PA Individuals: $55 per student

Community Projects
See Open Affiliate

Storytelling
See Open Affiliate

All coaches gain access to instructional and program materials designed to help them guide their students through the problem-solving process as well as prepare for each regular season topic challenge.

Pennsylvania program registration fees cover everything students need for each competition, including use of our FPSOnline platform to submit work and evaluation feedback on submissions.

Topic learning units are also available for purchase. Each unit contains background research, more suggested readings, discussion questions, learning prompts, assessment resources, and activity units that pair topic information with 6-step problem-solving process training.

Additional fees are required for those invited to attend our state finals and our world finals.

Find everything else you need to know in our Resources Library to get started and get to work with Future Problem Solving competitions. Learn more about our program competitions, get inspired by our students’ work, find how-to articles, free tools, resources, and best practices to apply. 

Our Topic Center and store also include many valuable coaching resources. Additional training is available upon request.

Top teams on the Global Issues qualifying problem for each division are invited to attend our state finals competition in March. 

The competition starts at 1:00 PM Friday and a group dinner is provided at the hotel. Students may use the  afternoon following the event and evening to prepare their action plan skits.

Saturday morning begins with breakfast at the hotel followed by action plan presentations from 9:00 to 11:00 AM and the awards ceremony from 11:00 AM to noon. Teams depart at noon Saturday.

Students stay 2 per hotel room overnight. 

A separate event registration fee is required for all Pennsylvania Affiliate Finals participants.

Each year, evaluators assess submissions of student work and provide authentic assessment and feedback. All Pennsylvania evaluators must complete virtual training modules or in-person training in the program(s) they wish to evaluate and submit a sample of their evaluation for review. Many alumni find serving as an evaluator rewarding. Experienced senior division students may certify to evaluate younger divisions. Often, college students and professionals find evaluating fits their schedules well. Current coaches, parents, and other FPS Pennsylvania leaders may choose to wear this hat, too. Retired coaches, educators, and professionals also enjoy staying connected by evaluating student work. Contact us for more information.