Newtown Team Recognized For Problem Solving Skills

NORTH HAVEN — The Future Problem Solving Program of Connecticut, Inc hosted its 29th annual conference for Connecticut’s top student problem solvers at North Haven High School on March 30 and 31. 

In the 2011-2012 school year, Future Problem Solving Program of Connecticut teams studied issues related to human rights, coral reefs, the future of work, and trade barriers. The teams submitted work for evaluation during the year, and the top scoring teams were invited to the state competition.

The Newtown-based Community Learning Project team won first place at the conference in both the Global Issues Problem Solving and Presentation of Action Plan competitions in the middle division, for students in seventh through ninth grade. Team members Caroline McArdle and Clare Boyle, both from Newtown, and Lucien Formichella of Redding, are now eligible to participate in the International Future Problem Solving Conference in June at Indiana University in Bloomington with more than 2,000 other students and coaches from around the world.

On Friday, March 30, the first day of the competition in North Haven, student teams were presented with a future problem scenario that related to the topic of “Trade Barriers.” Using the knowledge gained from their prior research and preparation, they applied the program’s six-step problem-solving process to analyze the potential situation, determine the challenges, describe the underlying problem, outline solutions, evaluate solutions, and detail their best action plan.

The competition is broken into three divisions based on age. The students’ work is evaluated by a panel of judges to determine who will go on to the International Conference.

On Saturday morning, the teams prepared presentations of their action plans, which were performed later that day for another panel of judges.

Future Problem Solving Program of Connecticut is a nonprofit educational organization dedicated to preparing Connecticut’s students for the future with essential problem-solving skills. The program provides a structure for students to participate in problem-solving activities related to complex social and scientific issues, while developing an active interest in the future; working cooperatively with peers and coaches; and, mastering advanced research and written and oral communication skills.

Future Problem Solving Program of Connecticut is an affiliate of the International Future Problem Solving Program.

For more information about Future Problem Solving Program of Connecticut, visit fpspofct.org or e-mail fpspofct@aol.com. For information about upcoming introductory sessions in Newtown, contact pmcardle@charter.net.