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Welcome to Wisconsin Future Problem Solving, an educational organization for K-12 students that focuses on creative and critical thinking. Our problem solvers learn how to think, not what to think, and gain lifelong skills.
We teach students a 6-Step problem solving process that can be applied in any of our components: Global Issues, Community Projects, Creative Writing, and Storytelling.
About Us
Our Mission
Wisconsin Future Problem Solving is dedicated to developing the ability of young people globally to design and achieve positive futures through problem solving using critical and creative thinking.
Future Problem Solving, developed by Dr. E. Paul Torrance, proudly celebrates more than 50 years of providing a dynamic, purposeful, learning experience. Our six-step process allows students to alternate between creative thinking to explore new options, and critical thinking to examine possibilities in detail and make thoughtful decisions. Wisconsin Future Problem Solving is an affiliate of Future Problem Solving International.
Wisconsin Association for Talented & Gifted
Our Partner
WATG is dedicated to fostering a climate that allows each individual to reach their unique potential.
watg.org
Click on the image above to visit the international website
Our Components
Global Issues
Students learn about important issues and predict possibilities for the future
Community
Projects
Students focus on an issue in their community and implement solutions to create lasting change.
LEAP
LEarning About Problem Solving
This component is geared for younger primary students. It teaches the 6-step process in a simplified manner.
GLOBAL ISSUES
Registering a GIobal Issues team or individual, a Non-Competitive Global Issues Rookie team allows you to send in their work for evaluation, which provides valuable feedback on how to improve their problem solving skills. Once we receive your registration form, you will be provided with all the materials you need to get started.
$120 Global Issues Team
$60 Global Issues Individual
$80 Global Issues Rookie Team
$60 LEAP Materials (Register any time)
$10 LEAP Challenge Scenes Submission per booklet (submit any time)
For each portion of the year students research and study a topic area, then complete a problem solving booklet based on a Future Scene that is written about the topic of study. A team of evaluators reads the booklet and provides extensive written feedback focused on improvement of writing and thinking skills. The schedule for the year is as follows:
Practice Problem 1 (Due October 30, 2026)
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Topic: Digital Dark Age
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Steps 1-3 of the process completed
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Coaches may help students in whatever way the deem necessary
Practice Problem 2 (Due December 18, 2026)
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Topic: Disappearing Cultures
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All 6 steps of the process completed
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Coaches may help students in whatever way the deem necessary
Qualifying Problem (Due February 12, 2027)
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Topic: Influencer Marketing
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All 6 steps of the process completed
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"Competitive conditions: must be met (2 consecutive hours, unassisted by the coach
State Bowl (April 11-13, 2027)
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Topic: Health Security
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Location: Green Lake Conference Center
Global Issues Rookie Division
This is a non-competitive component in which teams of students complete the same three problems, but write a shorter booklet with fewer challenges and solutions. There are no time limits.
ENTRY FEES
These fees are paid when the component is submitted.
$40 Creative Writing
$80 Community Project Teams
$60 Community Project Individuals
$40 Storytelling
Entries 2026-27
Creative Writing
Stories and fees are submitted in January and evaluated in February?march. Click the buttons for materials.
Entries due January 15, 2027
Community Projects
Please read the materials carefully and ask for help if you need it.
Teams and individuals work on a project of their choosing for the entire school year. Projects and entry fees are submitted in February/March and projects are evaluated in February/March. Click the buttons for information and materials.
Project Proposal due December 4, 2026
Project Report due March 1, 2027
Storytelling
Videos and fees are submitted in February and evaluated that month. Click the buttons for materials.
Entries due February 5, 20267
LEAP -- LEarning About
Problem Solving
for grades 1-5
These materials teach a simplified, introductory version of the problem solving process. You may use the materials with an entire class. The fee includes LEAP instructional lessons, 12 lesson plans to introduce problem solving to students, and multiple LEAP challenge scenes. Work can be submitted for feedback any time during the school year for $10 per booklet.
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$60 includes the LEAP Instructional Lessons and LEAP challenge scenes. Use the Registration Form link below to purchase.
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NOTE: Each teacher using the lesson plans should have their own purchased copy of the lessons.
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$10 per booklet: Work on challenge scenes may be submitted any time during the school year. Use the link to the registration form below each time you plan to submit one or more booklets for feedback.
Registration Fees
Global Issues, Community Projects, Creative Writing, Storytelling
Topics and Divisions
The topics for Future Problem Solving change each year. This year's topics are:
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Digital Dark Age
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Disappearing Cultures
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Influencer Marketing
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Health Security
The World Finals topic is announced March 1.
Click here for more information on this year's topics.
Students participate in three divisions:
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Junior -- grades 4-6
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Middle -- grades 7-9
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Senior -- grades 10-12
