Global Issues Problem Solving (GIPS)

Global Issues Problem Solving (GIPS) is a competitive component of FPSPI which can be accomplished as a team (of 4) or individual activity in which participants research a series of global topics and learn a six-step creative problem solving process. Problem solvers apply their topic and creative problem solving knowledge to address a charge presented in an imagined situation, termed Future Scene.

Students complete two practice problems and one qualifying problem throughout the school year. Trained evaluators score student work and return it with feedback including suggestions for improvement. The top scoring teams and individuals on the qualifying problem are invited to Affiliate FPS Competitions. The winners of each respective Affiliate FPS Competition advance to the FPSP International Conference in June.

Individuals and teams are divided into four divisions:

• Grades 3-6 (Novice) - This is a pilot program run through Texas FPS. Novice division teams participate in the State Bowl, but do not advance to the International Conference.

• Grades 4-6 (Junior)

• Grades 7-9 (Middle)

• Grades 10-12 (Senior)