Future Problem Solving Program International Conference - Global Issues Action Plan Presentation

Grades

High school (grades 9-12, likely)

Age

Typically 14-18 years old

Citizenship

International participation likely, but specific restrictions unknown

Prerequisites

Team membership in Future Problem Solving Program; prior participation in regional/state competitions likely required to qualify for International Conference

Steps

1. Join or form a Future Problem Solving Program team through your school or organization
2. Participate in regional/state competitions throughout the academic year
3. Advance through qualifying rounds based on performance
4. Prepare action plan presentation on assigned global issue
5. Create and rehearse creative skit component (up to 4 minutes)
6. Register team for International Conference
7. Present at IC and compete in action plan presentation round

Materials Needed

• Action plan document/proposal on global issue
• Creative skit script and props (from approved materials only)
• Presentation slides or visual materials
• Team registration forms
• Coach/advisor documentation

Timeline

Typically year-long program beginning fall, with state competitions in winter/spring, IC in summer

Cost

Varies; likely includes team registration fees, travel costs to IC, and state competition fees (estimated $200-1500+ depending on location)

What Judges Look For

• Quality and feasibility of action plan solution
• Originality and creativity of presentation
• Effectiveness of creative skit in communicating message
• Team collaboration and communication
• Understanding of global issue complexity
• Practicality and implementation potential of proposed solution
• Delivery and presentation skills
• Use of approved materials appropriately

Scoring

Unknown; likely weighted across problem analysis, solution quality, creativity, presentation delivery, and skit effectiveness

Common Mistakes

• Oversimplifying complex global issues
• Failing to cite credible research and sources
• Skit that doesn't effectively support the action plan
• Poor time management during 4-minute skit presentation
• Using unapproved materials in skit
• Lacking team coordination and rehearsal
• Not addressing feasibility and implementation barriers
• Insufficient consideration of stakeholder perspectives

Acceptance Rate

Unknown; not publicly available

Applicants

Unknown; likely hundreds of teams nationally

Winners / Selected

Multiple categories and award levels; exact numbers unknown but likely 10-50+ teams at IC across all divisions

• Start early: begin research on global issue immediately upon selection
• Choose a specific, well-defined global issue rather than something too broad
• Ground your action plan in real research and expert consultation when possible
• Make your skit memorable and engaging—use humor, emotion, or surprise appropriately
• Ensure skit directly supports and reinforces your action plan message
• Practice timing obsessively; the 4-minute limit is strict
• Get feedback from multiple perspectives before IC; coaches, teachers, other teams
• Use approved materials creatively; constraints breed innovation
• Prepare for Q&A; judges may ask tough questions about feasibility
• Tell a compelling story; audiences remember narratives
• Research past winning presentations if available to understand judge preferences
• Allocate team roles based on strengths (research, writing, performance, design)

How to Prepare

• Join or form a FPSP team through your school
• Attend team meetings and training sessions regularly
• Develop research and problem-solving skills through workshops
• Practice writing action plans with clear objectives and implementation steps
• Study past global issues and solutions for context
• Develop creative and performance skills
• Learn the judging criteria and scoring system
• Conduct extensive research on your assigned issue
• Brainstorm creative skit ideas with team
• Write and revise action plan multiple times
• Rehearse presentation dozens of times
• Get feedback and iterate

Resources

• Official FPSP website and resource center (resources.futureproblemsolving.org)
• State/regional FPSP coordinator
• Your school's FPSP coach/advisor
• Past IC presentations (if available online or through program)
• Online research databases and academic journals
• Books on creative problem-solving and systems thinking
• YouTube videos on presentation skills and public speaking
• Peer feedback from other teams in your region
• Expert interviews on your global issue topic

Time Needed

12-18 months minimum from joining team to IC; intensive preparation 3-6 months leading to IC; daily/weekly team meetings during competitive season

Successful teams typically have: strong research skills with citations from credible sources, creative thinkers who can produce engaging skits, good public speakers, strong teamwork and communication, coaches with experience in the program, diverse skill sets across team members, ability to think systemically about complex problems, and prior competition experience at regional/state level

Moderate to strong impact on college applications. FPSP participation demonstrates: systems thinking, research skills, collaborative ability, leadership, presentation skills, and commitment to social impact. International Conference participation carries more weight than regional competition. Award winners gain significant resume/application boost. Most valued by colleges emphasizing civic engagement, problem-solving, and interdisciplinary thinking. Well-regarded at competitive institutions but less known than Science Olympiad or debate competitions.

• Harvard Summer College Programs for High School Students — Tier 3, summer program
• Brown Pre-Collegiate Program — Tier 3, summer program
• Harvard Summer School High School Programs — Tier 3, summer program
• ACT-SO Achievement Program (Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics) — Tier 3, competition
• TMCF Programs — Tier 3, internship