Norcross Problem Solvers Earn International Honors

10 students from Pinckneyville Middle School and Norcross High School represented the State of Georgia at the Future Problem Solving International Conference in at Indiana University in Bloomington, IN held June 6-9, 2013. 

The International Conference featured four days of stimulating competitive problem solving, cooperative educational seminars, and social activities. More than 2000 students and coaches attended the FPS International Conference. Top problem solvers from 36 states plus Australia, China, Great Britain, Hong Kong, India, Jordan, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Portugal, Singapore, Switzerland, and Turkey were in attendance.

Jennifer Wang, a recent graduate of Pinckneyville Middle School, placed first for Scenario Writing in the Middle Division.  She was honored to read her award winning selection at the conference.  Jennifer also placed 2nd in the Middle Division Team Scenario Writing Competition with her 3 assigned teammates.

Sam Carton, a rising 7th grader at Pinckneyville Middle School, placed 5th in Individual Global Issues Problem Solving, Junior Division.

Michelle Fisher, a rising Junior at Norcross High School came in 3rd for Individual Global Issues Problem Solving, Senior Division.

Allison Fisher, a recent graduate of Norcross High School, placed 2nd in Multi-Affiliate Global Issues Problem Solving, Senior Division with her 3 assigned teammates.  Allison also earned Honorable Mention for the Graduating Senior Scholarship competition.

Also competing were a team of Norcross High School rising sophomores Ian Campbell, Rachel Flowers, Ryan Lokhorst, and  Lindsay Song who represented GA in the Middle Division Global Issues Team Competition.  Caitlyn Yang, a recent graduate of Picnckneyville Middle School, represented GA in the Middle Division Global Issues Individual Competition.  Alexandra Kim, a rising sophomore at Norcross High School, competed in the Middle Division of Multi-Affiliate Global Issues Problem Solving. 

These Future Problem Solvers research real world concerns (the topic for the International Competition was Pharmaceuticals) and apply a rigorous a 6 step problem solving process to explore challenges and propose action plans to complex societal problems.  Additionally they prepare a creative and entertaining presentation to explain the action plan generated by the team during the written problem solving competition. 

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Future Problem Solving Program International (FPSPI) engages students in creative problem solving.  Founded in 1974 by creativity pioneer, Dr. E Paul Torrance, FPSPI stimulates critical and creative thinking skills and encourages students to develop a vision for the future. More information on the Future Problem Program can be found at: www.fpspi.org