Future Problem Solving International Conference

Grades

Middle school (grades 6-8) and high school (grades 9-12) students organized into division-based teams

Age

Typically ages 11-18 depending on division

Citizenship

International participation; primarily open to students from countries with Future Problem Solving affiliates

Prerequisites

Must be part of a school or organization-based team; must qualify through regional/state competitions to advance to international conference

Steps

1. 1. Form or join a Future Problem Solving team at your school (4-6 students)
2. 2. Register team with state/regional FPS coordinator
3. 3. Participate in practice rounds and scrimmages throughout academic year
4. 4. Compete in state-level competition/bowl
5. 5. Qualify for national competition (if applicable in your region)
6. 6. Receive invitation to International Conference based on national rankings
7. 7. Register team for International Conference
8. 8. Prepare solutions for assigned future problem scenarios
9. 9. Travel to and compete at International Conference location

Materials Needed

• Team registration information
• Student team member forms and parental consent
• Coach/advisor information and credentials
• Written problem solutions (typically 20-30 pages per problem scenario)
• Presentation materials for oral competition rounds
• Travel and accommodation arrangements

Timeline

Academic year structure: Registration typically September-October; regional competitions November-January; state competitions January-February; national competitions February-March; International Conference typically May-June

Cost

State/regional registration fees (typically $100-300 per team); International Conference registration and travel costs (estimated $2,000-5,000+ per team including flights, hotels, meals)

What Judges Look For

• Quality and originality of problem-solving approach
• Depth of research and evidence-based solutions
• Creativity and innovation in addressing futuristic scenarios
• Clear logical reasoning and connection between problem analysis and proposed solutions
• Understanding of systems thinking and long-term implications
• Presentation clarity and team collaboration demonstrated during oral rounds
• Ability to think ahead 10-20 years and anticipate consequences
• Use of specific examples and data to support recommendations
• Communication skills and articulation in both written and oral presentations

Scoring

Teams typically scored on: Understanding of Problem (20%), Process Used (20%), Solution Quality (30%), Communication (20%), and Presentation (10%). State/international competitions use standardized rubrics that evaluate both written documents and live oral performances.

Common Mistakes

• Failing to understand the full scope of the complex, multi-faceted problem
• Proposing short-term solutions instead of long-term futuristic thinking
• Insufficient research and data backing up recommendations
• Poor team organization and unequal participation in solution development
• Weak presentation skills and inability to articulate reasoning clearly
• Not addressing unintended consequences or stakeholder impacts
• Generic solutions that lack originality or specificity
• Time management issues during competition rounds
• Overcomplicating solutions without clear practical implementation pathways

Acceptance Rate

Not publicly available; highly competitive as only top-performing teams from state competitions advance. Estimated that fewer than 10% of participating teams reach international conference.

Applicants

Thousands of middle and high school students participate annually across participating states/regions; exact numbers not publicly documented

Winners / Selected

International Conference hosts approximately 30-50 teams from across USA and international affiliates competing simultaneously; multiple awards categories including Team Excellence, Judge's Award, Best Presentation

• Start preparing early in the academic year—successful teams begin research in September/October
• Develop strong foundational knowledge about global trends, technology, economics, and social systems to apply to future scenarios
• Practice structured creative problem-solving frameworks: Define problem clearly, generate ideas, evaluate options, develop implementation plan
• Research extensively using peer-reviewed sources, industry reports, and expert interviews—judges value evidence-based solutions
• Think systems-wide: consider environmental, social, economic, political, and technological impacts of your solutions
• Create diverse teams with members having different strengths (research, writing, presentation, creative thinking, organization)
• Practice oral presentations extensively—clear communication is weighted heavily in scoring
• Participate in practice competitions and scrimmages to get feedback and refine approaches
• Focus on feasibility and real-world implementation rather than purely theoretical solutions
• Anticipate unintended consequences and address potential criticisms of your solutions
• Use specific, quantified data and examples rather than general statements
• Develop a coherent narrative that connects problem analysis to solution recommendations
• Time management during competition is critical—practice staying within presentation time limits
• Study past year's problems and judge feedback to understand what works at international level
• Build relationships with judges and coaches from other teams to learn diverse perspectives

How to Prepare

• Join or form a Future Problem Solving team at your school early in academic year
• Work with your coach/advisor to understand FPS methodology and scoring criteria
• Study past problem scenarios (available on FPS website) to understand problem types and complexity level
• Develop research skills: learn to use academic databases, evaluate source credibility, synthesize information
• Practice structured brainstorming and idea generation techniques
• Learn systems thinking frameworks to analyze problems holistically
• Develop strong writing skills for clear, concise, persuasive written solutions
• Practice public speaking and presentation skills for oral rounds
• Participate in scrimmage competitions against other teams to get real competition experience
• Study current global trends, emerging technologies, and social/economic issues
• Create a team study schedule and ensure all members contribute equitably
• Get feedback from coaches and judges on practice solutions before state competition
• Attend FPS coaching clinics or webinars if available in your state
• Read books on creative problem-solving, futures thinking, and innovation
• Follow emerging trends in technology, climate, demographics, and global issues

Resources

• Official FPS website: resources.futureproblemsolving.org (articles, guides, past problems)
• Future Problem Solving Program USA official materials and coach handbooks
• Past problem scenarios and judge scoring sheets (available through state coordinators)
• Books: 'The Art of Innovation' by Tom Kelley, 'Thinking in Systems' by Donella Meadows
• YouTube: Search for 'Future Problem Solving tips' for team presentation examples
• Academic research databases: Google Scholar, JSTOR, university library databases
• Websites: TED Talks, MIT Technology Review, Wired, Scientific American for trend analysis
• Problem-solving workshops and coaching clinics offered through state FPS organizations
• Mentorship from previous FPS team members or coaches in your region
• Reddit communities: r/ApplyingToCollege, r/competitions have some discussion of academic competitions
• Contact your state FPS coordinator for resources specific to your region

Time Needed

Minimum 100-150 hours of team preparation over full academic year for teams aiming for state competition; 200+ hours for teams targeting international conference. Daily practice sessions 2-3 times per week starting in September through competition season in May.

Successful teams typically consist of 4-6 highly motivated students with strong critical thinking and writing abilities. Winners demonstrate deep research skills, systems thinking, and ability to synthesize complex information. Competitive teams often have members with diverse academic backgrounds (STEM, humanities, social sciences) who collaborate effectively. Winners are typically students with strong GPA, involvement in multiple academic activities, and demonstrated passion for solving real-world problems. Many international conference winners have participated in FPS for multiple years, showing commitment and continuous improvement.

Participation in Future Problem Solving, especially reaching the international conference level, is viewed favorably by college admissions officers as evidence of: advanced critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, ability to work collaboratively with peers, research and writing skills, systems thinking capabilities, and commitment to intellectual growth. Winning at international competition is a significant achievement that demonstrates top-tier academic excellence comparable to Science Olympiad or other prestigious academic competitions. Colleges value FPS participation because it develops skills directly applicable to college-level work—research, analysis, communication, and complex problem-solving. International Conference participation signals exceptional student quality and is particularly valued by STEM-focused colleges and programs emphasizing applied learning. The teamwork aspect also demonstrates leadership and interpersonal skills valued in college contexts.

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