Forward thinking

The girls dramatise their action plans

with the Future Problem Solving Programme

The Future Problem Solving Programme sets out to arm students with the skillset they need to grapple with some of the world’s most significant issues.

This prestigious international programme is certainly gaining traction, with 83 St Cuthbert’s students from Year 7 to 13 currently taking part. The programme sees students using critical and creative thinking to address future problems across a range of subjects from mining to building sustainably. The students learn a six-step process of problem solving which gives them the ability to think critically and analytically about significant global issues, both individually and as a team.

This year, as a result of their dedication and determination, a number of our students have been successful in qualifying for the Future Problem Solving National Finals. We very much look forward to reporting back with how they perform! The group of finalists is the largest one of St Cuthbert’s students to qualify in the last 12 years.

Year 10 Bonnie Wang is one of the students enjoying and excelling in the programme, and this is what she has to say:

“Future Problem Solving (FPS) is one of the programmes that I have been very fortunate to participate in; it has taught me problem solving skills that will be worth a lifetime”. FPS is a programme where students are given a scene that is supposedly set in the future, and we have to identify possible problems, and then solutions to those problems using critical and creative thinking. The mission of FPSI (Future Problem Solving International) is to develop the ability of young people globally to design and achieve positive futures, which I think is a skill FPS is really helping me foster. The programme teaches so many critical thinking and analyzing skills through the process of solving situations which could be similar to the ones we might eventually face. Some topics this year have been: Water Supply, Building Green, Insects, and Mining is coming up in the Future Problem Solving Nationals. The programme offers an option of competing as teams of 4 or less, or as an individual. This year I took up the challenge of competing as an individual in the qualifying problem due to a clash with Kahunui, and it has indeed helped me gain so many more analytical skills. The results for this year’s National Finals were extremely impressive; 3 Teams qualified, 2 individuals, and 1 individual for scenario writing.

However, to me, FPS is not just about the results achieved, but rather the experience gained as a whole. It has taught me a series of skills and has given me an insight into what the future might look like. It has opened my eyes to so many career choices and has fostered passions in areas that I wouldn’t have discovered otherwise.”

“Future Problem Solving gets under your skin. Each term is a different topic that you can get your teeth into. Delving into global issues, learning about future trends, the application of a rigorous 6 step problem solving process, striving for accuracy, external evaluators giving comprehensive feedback. This is a competitive, rigorous programme which challenges all. Students tap into their higher order thinking yet work within specific parameters. If they are working in a team they learn to understand and appreciate one another’s strengths. Alternatively, they have the opportunity to take part as an individual. Commitment to the programme and to their team mates is paramount. It’s not for the faint hearted but the rewards are immense.” —Jan Walls and Ilana Tobias (FPS coaches)