NYFPS | New York Future Problem Solving Program, Inc.

Educators' Guide

New York educators today face a unique problem, they require an effective model to teach critical / creative thinking, problem solving, and decision-making, while also maintaining compatibility with state and national standards. NYFPS is the solution that meets these needs. FPS can be implemented in the classroom or as an extracurricular activity. Teachers and school advisors can make a lasting impact on their students by bringing the FPS experience into students' education.

FPS encourages students from grades 4-12 (or equivalent) to become more aware of a diverse range of community and global topics. These include business and economics, science and technology, and social and political concerns affecting our world today. Some of the topics include STEM, Global Citizenship, and Social Sciences issues.

Bring Lessons To Life

Through academic competitions, FPS brings lessons to the next level. FPS encourages students to become inquirers; developing an affinity for researching, constructing, and applying complex theories and technologies.

Real world problems are often multi-layered. FPS teaches students to take a step back and examine the bigger picture and understand emerging trends. FPS competition topics, such as nanotechnology, are explored in creative and critical ways to find solutions to global issues. Working in teams, ideas are refined and applied. In competition, students see how others solve the same problem, resulting in an incredible learning experience.

Furthermore, in CmPS, FPS enables students to step beyond theory to think about a creative solution to a local problem, execute an action plan, and build on these solutions.

ButtonAnchor

Getting Started

Getting Started

The advisor is typically the point person who registers students and receives materials from NYFPS, so the teacher or school advisor will naturally take on this role. The first step is to determine which component(s) you and your students are interested in: Global Issues Problem Solving (GIPS), Community Problem Solving (CmPS), or Scenario Writing. You may also consider the non-competitive option.

Learn How To Be An Advisor >

Integrate FPS Into Your Teaching >

NYFPS has created guides to enhance learning of the FPS process and provide support. Basic helpful virtual resources can be found on our Resources page. On-site Training is also available for coaches and students to receive in-person instruction from members of the NYFPS team member who have extensive experience as an evaluator.

Browse Reference Material >

Consider On-site Training >

Furthermore, FPSPI offers a wide range of educational and instructional materials as well as virtual content. Virtual support is available through videos and instructional e-learning experiences. Please discuss with our Executive Director after registration, so we can help suggest which FPSPI materials would support you the most.

Once registered for the desired components, participants starts with practice topics and preliminary project deadlines to support learning through feedback provided by our Evaluators. Students learn from this iterative process allowing for improvement. After the practice topics, competitive topics are offered for qualification submissions to the State Conference. State champions advance to the International Conference. At the International Conference your students will get a chance to compete and collaborate with problem solvers from all over the globe.

Core Competencies

These four essential skills underscore the FPS process.

Creativity

Scenarios are set in the future to stimulate inventive thinking when problem solving. Students are encouraged to extrapolate future possibilities from the present.

Critical Thinking

Students analysis a scenario to gain an understanding of issues and apply those determinations to comprehend the critical aspects of complex situations.

Collaboration

Teamwork is developed as students work through challenging and exciting situations while applying problem solving skills.

Communication

While working within a team or the community, students develop clear and articulate communication skills. Ideas are presented in written form and verbally.

Core Competencies

Skillset Development

Reading / Literacy

Extensive reading of non-fiction / informational text
Build content area literacy through research of the specific topics
Opportunity for writing using evidence from texts to build challenges, solutions, action plans, and scenarios
Content in the Lexile stretch band to increase exposure to complex texts
Development of content-rich academic vocabulary and comprehension skills through diverse annual topics

Math / Finance

Real world application of content
The ability to solve mathematical problems beyond the classroom
Strategic use of appropriate mathematical tools
Financial and economic choices
Project development requiring demonstration of conceptual understanding

Life / Career Skills

Ethical leadership for positive change
Gift and talent development
Independent investigation
Achievement in areas across dimensions of learning
Incorporate feedback effectively
Adapt to changing situations, roles, and contexts

21st Century Skills

Learn and utilize skills of creativity, critical thinking, communication, and collaboration (Core Competencies)
Assess and evaluate information in an efficient and effective manner
Apply information accurately and creatively
Examine how and why media messages are constructed

Leadership / Responsibility

Apply problem solving skills to guide a team toward a goal
Seek other perspectives and experiences to contribute to local and global community
Demonstrate integrity and ethical behavior
Serve the community

Skillsets

Read Here >

Annual Topics

Each year FPSPI announces the topics for the school year which are aimed to help students more aware of a diverse range of contemporary global trends. These topics represent themes and concepts from the strands of Business & Economics, Social & Political, and Science & Technology. Educators can leverage these topics to further enhance lesson plans and incorporate these important issues within classroom discussions as well.

Explore the topics and read brief descriptions for this school year.

STEM

Agriculture
Alternative Energy
Artificial Intelligence
Biosecurity
Cyber Conflict
Invasive Species
Nanotechnology

Global Citizenship

Climate Change
Cultural Prejudice
Environmental Law
Food Loss & Waste
Freedom of Speech
Global Status of Women
Orphaned Children

Social Sciences

Coping with Stress
Healthy Living
The Global Workplace
The Impact of Social Media
Rage and Bullying
Sensory Overload
Social Isolation

Examples of recent topics include:

Topic And Content Specific Standards

Discover how the students who participate in FPS are engaged with the Annual Topics achieve alignment to curriculum standards, based on the National Curriculum Standards and the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) Curriculum and Instruction Standards.

SCIENCE

Nature of Science

Understands the nature of scientific knowledge as it relates to Annual Topics.
Understands the nature of scientific inquiry when conducting investigations using systematic observation and logical reasoning to research the Annual Topics.
Understands the scientific enterprise as the catalyst for many Annual Topics as societal challenges often inspire scientific research.

Topics

FPS Standards

FPS Components And Curriculum Standards

Explore how the students who participate in the FPS components engage in activities that help develop skills which align to curriculum standards, based on the National Curriculum Standards and the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) Curriculum and Instruction Standards.

LANGUAGE ARTS

Writing

Gathers and uses information for research purposes on the selected Annual Topics.
Uses stylistic and rhetorical techniques in written composition.
Uses grammatical and mechanical conventions in written composition for clarity of ideas.
Uses the general skills and strategies of the writing process (pre-writing; drafting and revising; editing and publishing).

GIPS Skills

Global Issues Problem Solving (GIPS) aims to facilitate students’ ability to approach situations using a structured analytical and repeatable framework. In learning about futuristic topics and using the six-step problem solving framework, students are able to develop their thinking skills and enhance their creativity.

FPSPI has identified key skills targeted through GIPS and they align with many educational standards. Educators can review these skills to determine if they are in alignment with the standards followed by their school.

SPEAKING and LISTENING

Comprehension and Collaboration

Prepare for and participate effectively in a range of conversations and collaborations with diverse partners, building on others’ ideas, and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.
Integrate and evaluate information presented in diverse media and formats, including visually, quantitatively, and orally.
Evaluate a speaker’s point of view, reasoning, and use of evidence and rhetoric.