In the Honors Future Problem Solving course, students mainly participate in the GIPS competition of the Future Problem Solving program, but also have the opportunity to participate in other creative activities, logical puzzles, service projects, and academic competitions.

"GIPS" stands for "Global Issues Problem Solving," and it's one of the main competitions in the Future Problem Solving program.

Students are provided with a futuristic written scenario ("future scene") and after reading and analyzing the text, students work through the 6 steps of problem solving (challenges, underlying problem, solutions, criteria, grid, and action plan) to figure out the best ways to improve the society and issues depicted in the future scene. Students can work individually or in teams of up to 4 people. Previous topics studied have included spread of disease, treatment of animals, terraforming, sleep patterns, international travel, and space colonization. Students complete a written booklet which is submitted to state judges, and feedback is provided on creativity, futuristic thought, clarity of writing, logical cause/effect reasoning, divergent thought, and more. Top scoring teams and individuals are invited to the State Bowl in March, and winners at the state level progress to the International competition in June.

This course works to continue to strengthen our Gifted learners' creativity, critical thought, teamwork skills, problem solving and logical abilities, and divergent thinking skills.

After taking this course, students have the ability to apply to continue in an Independent Study program and/or be trained as state-level judges for the NJFPS program.