Newsletter

Message from Ariella:

Welcome coaches and students to the 24th year of the California Future Problem Solving Program! I am excited about the upcoming school year and look forward to working with you throughout the year. This is an exciting time for our organization as we continue to expand our program throughout California!

My personal history with the Future Problem Solving program dates back to a 4th grade experience with an amazing educator in Michigan. My 4th grade teacher, not only exposed us to the academic standards required at the time, but also taught us to think in a way that we had not experienced before. She introduced the FPS program to our class and our journey into thoughtful, futuristic thinking began. She taught us that our ideas had value and merit, while developing our critical and creative thinking skills. I competed in FPS for three years, all of which resulted in trips to the state bowl and two trips to the International Conference.

The memories created through Future Problem Solving certainly last a lifetime! A few years ago I ran into a friend of mine from elementary school and told him about my work with FPS. We reminisced about the program and the fond memories we had of our experiences. He specifically reminded me about scenarios we had worked on and some intense brainstorming sessions he remembered from class. He went on to express his gratitude for exposure to this method of critical thinking and described ways he has used the 6-step process throughout his career in politics. I'm certain that many FPSers have similar stories of the ways the program influenced their lives and careers!

I believe the power of the Future Problem Solving Program lies in the opportunity it provides for students to examine current issues and explore creative ways to address and solve problems presented. Too often, schools focus on rote memorization of information and, although there is value in this skill, I feel it is equally important to teach kids "how to think" in place of "what to think." I truly believe that the FPS program develops future leaders, inventors, educators, and overall successful individuals.

My more current involvement with the FPS program started with a move to California in 2001.  I began teaching the Gifted and Talented students in the Del Mar School District and immediately recognized the potential for creative programming for these students.  After initiating FPS at my school, I was pleased to see the amount of support the program received from parents, administrators, school board members, (and even the local press at times).   During the past 7 years, my teams have competed at the state level each year.  In 2005, my team of 6th grade students placed first at the State Bowl and we went on to compete at the International Conference.  The experience my students had at the IC will last a life time as we returned home as the International Champions for the junior division! 

I am beginning my third year as the Affiliate Director, and I’m so happy to have the opportunity to work with students and coaches across California who share my passion for this amazing program.   Our goals for Future Problem Solving this year include continuing the promotion of FPS to students throughout the state of California, increasing participation in Scenario Writing and Community Problem Solving, and fundraising to meet the needs of our program budget.  I look forward to working with our wonderful coaches, parents, students, and community members as we work towards achieving these goals in the 2008-2009 school year!  Please know that I am here to support your work with this program in any way possible.  Contact me with any questions, concerns, or ideas you have regarding FPS.  I look forward to a successful 2008-2009 Future Problem Solving Program year!

Ask the Director:

1. I just found out about the Future Problem Solving Program, is it too late to get started?


Absolutely not! I’m glad you learned about the program and I look forward to helping you get started. Your first step should be to read through our website and learn a little bit about the program. After you have finished please contact me by phone or e-mail and we can discuss how you can start an FPS program at your school. I will be happy to train you as a coach through an upcoming training in your area or I will even plan a training session near you if one does not currently exist. I look forward to hearing from you!


2. Are there any FPS coaches in my area who I can contact for help with my program?


Yes, we have many veteran coaches interested in supporting new schools as they begin FPS. We find that once our coaches have worked with the program and seen the positive impact on their students, they are eager to share their enthusiasm and knowledge with other coaches. Please contact me and I will try to match you up with a coach in your area.


3. How many hours a week should I dedicate to the Future Problem Solving program?


The amount of time that coaches spend with their students per week varies from school to school. Some coaches are able to use a set amount of time during the school day for the program, some meet with their teams after school, and some find that the weekend is the best time for working with their students. As you build your own program at your school, try different options and see what works best for you. I found I was able to run my program by meeting with students once a week for one hour. Of course, I always felt like there was more I wanted to do, but I needed to work within the confines of the school day.