Area Future Problem Solving students succeed at international level

Twenty-two home-schooled Future Problem Solving students and one student from the Mid-Prairie School District competed at the FPS International Competition at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst from June 6 – 9. Champion teams and individuals from most U.S. states and Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Republic of Georgia, Portugal, China, France, Turkey, Norway, Korea, Malaysia, and Thailand participated.

Lilou Beachy, a Mid-Prairie student coached by Kurtis Broeg, competed in the team scenario-writing event. Beachy and assigned teammates from North Carolina and Singapore won the middle division (seventh thorugh ninth grades) with their collaborative story written in parts by each team member on the topic of de-extinction.

Both of Iowa's senior division (grades 10 – 12) Global Issues Problem Solving teams placed in the top 10, competing against the 63 best teams from around the world. During the two-hour competition, teams analyzed a futuristic situation concerning the de-extinction of several species of animals, determined the most significant problem, generated multiple solution ideas, judged the ideas, and described the team's best solution as a plan of action. The local team of Nate Lamansky, Caleb Ferreira, Grace Greer, and Lexi Tu placed fourth worldwide. The other senior division team of home-schooled students from Iowa City placed seventh.

As part of the event opportunities, the students participated in the FPS Variety Show in an act with students from Illinois and Arizona.

Paula Lawson-Moore, who celebrated her 20th consecutive year of having at least one team qualify for the FPS International Competition, coaches the homeschooled Future Problem Solving students. m Solving students succeed at international level