Think about tomorrow's problems—and become part of the solution.

Future Problem Solving encourages students to examine complex challenges that could affect our world in the future. Teams investigate a topic, identify important problems, develop possible solutions, and think critically about the consequences of different choices.

Students learn to look beyond the obvious answer. They consider multiple perspectives, evaluate evidence, anticipate future consequences, and develop innovative solutions to challenging situations.

What students gain: Critical thinking, creative thinking, research, problem-solving, communication, decision-making, and the ability to analyze complex situations.

Great for students who: Ask “What if?”, enjoy discussing big ideas, like solving challenging problems, or are interested in the future of society, science, and technology.

⭐ The Main Difference Between the FPS Categories:

GLOBAL ISSUES   "Solve a complex future problem."

Students work under time pressure using the six-step process.

Competition process

Students research the annual topics before competition. During a competition problem, students receive a future scene and have approximately two hours to complete the six-step process. Students must quickly:

Analyze → Brainstorm → Identify the key problem → Generate solutions → Evaluate solutions → Create an action plan

COMMUNITY PROJECTS    "Find a real community problem and actually do something about it."

Students research, plan, implement, document, and evaluate a real project.

Instead of solving a fictional future scenario, students identify a real problem in an actual community and take action to address it.

The process

1. Identify an Area of Concern

What problem exists in the community?

2. Identify Challenges

What specific problems are connected to that issue?

3. Identify the Underlying Problem

Which part of the problem can the students realistically address?

4. Generate Solutions

What could actually improve the situation?

5. Develop Criteria

How will the students determine which solution is best?

6. Develop an Action Plan

What will students actually do?

CREATIVE WRITING    "Imagine the future and write a story about it."

Individual futuristic fiction.

Creative Writing is an individual competition, not a team problem-solving event.

Students choose one of the year's FPS topics and create an original futuristic short story. The story must:

• Be original

• Relate to one of the annual topics

• Be set at least 20 years in the future

• Be 1,500 words or fewer for the regular competition

STORYTELLING   "Imagine the future and tell the story."

Individual oral performance.Storytelling is essentially the oral-performance counterpart to Creative Writing.

Students develop a futuristic story based on one of the annual FPS topics and tell the story rather than submitting a written story. The student creates an original story that:

• Relates to an annual FPS topic

• Predicts a future situation

• Is set approximately 20–30 years in the future

• Is presented as a live five-minute performance 

CHALLENGES  "Try the FPS process in a shorter, flexible format."

A three-week introductory problem-solving experience. There is also a newer, more flexible FPS option called Challenges. This is particularly interesting for Hopkins because it can serve as an entry point for students who have never participated in Future Problem Solving before. Format. Unlike the traditional Global Issues competition, Challenges are:

• Virtual

• Asynchronous

• Shorter

• Completed during a three-week window

Students work through the six-step process and submit their Step 6 Action Plan. (Future Problem Solving)

Six steps

Challenges → Underlying Problem → Solutions → Criteria → Grid → Action Plan

Only the Action Plan is judged in the Challenge competition. 

HOPKINS WORKING BUDGET  •  Planning estimate (not a family charge)

• Local season: approximately $200–$500 per team for registration, materials, printing, and event needs

• State or international travel is budgeted only after qualification

• World Finals may require registration, travel, lodging, meals, and adult supervision

FUNDING PATHWAYS

PFA/PTA • civic organizations • employer matching • local research and technology sponsors • student presentations to community partners

SMART SPENDING RULES

Use library and school research resources first. Approve registration and travel before payment. Track every expense, funding source, approval, and receipt in the team planner.