Wisconsin Future Problem Solving Program

The Wisconsin Future Problem Solving Program, an affiliate Future Problem Solving program, was begun in 1981 by Bill Hartje and Marilyn Bendiksen. Currently, over 1,000 students statewide participate in some aspect of the program, which is run by Martha Barlow.

Aspects of the program

Almost all aspects of the international Future Problem Solving Program are offered in Wisconsin, including:
*Competitive and Non-Competitive Team Problem Solving
*Individual Problem Solving (offered competitively only in problems 3 and 4)
*Scenario Writing
*Team and Individual Community Problem Solving

The only competitions that are offered at the International Conference but not at the Wisconsin level include On-Site Scenario Writing (scenario winners compete as individuals at the state bowl), an Alternates Competition (although many teams bring alternates who compete as individuals at the bowl, rather than on arbitrary teams as at the international level), and the Adult Competition.

For the first problem of the year, teams only complete the first three steps.

Timeline

*Problem 1 is typically evaluated at the end of October.
*Problem 2 is typically evaluated at the beginning of January.
*Problem 3 is typically evaluated near the end of February. Qualifying teams and individuals are informed before the beginning of March.
*State Bowl occurs at the end of April.

State Bowl

Compared to most FPS affiliates, Wisconsin has a fairly long State Bowl. Participants arrive on Thursday evening for the opening ceremonies. Scenario and CmPS awards are officially presented, as well as the Marian Carr award which goes to a distinguished coach. Immediately following this, the top scenario winners in each division read their writing. A "mixer" or "Zippy Challenge" is then held in which students work with members of other teams to complete a fun activity.

On Friday morning, the team and individual problem solving events are held. Students then have the remainder of the day to themselves while booklets are being evaluated; most of it is used for preparation of their skit.

Skits are performed on Saturday morning, after which the closing ceremonies are held. Awards are presented in all problem solving areas in all divisions, as well as for the skits and banners (each school constructs a banner to represent their team).

Typically, Wisconsin receives two at-large team problem solving slots for the International Conference. This means that in addition to the first place team in each division qualifying for the conference, second place teams in two divisions will qualify. Which division, if any, will receive these at-large bids is not announced until the closing ceremony. Wisconsin has done considerably well in all aspects of the International Conference in past years.

References

* [http://wisfps.org Official Program Website]

See also

*Main FPS article

External links

* [http://partnersinglobalsolutions.com Partners in Global Solutions] , a CmPS project from 2004 which introduced Russia to Future Problem Solving. Senior students from Appleton North High School taught Russian students the FPS process; the two teams then used it to address weapons storage in Shchuchye, Russia. Russian teams have attended the Wisconsin State Bowl since.