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50 facts for 50 years of Future Problem Solving

To celebrate 50 years of learning Future Problem Solving, here are 50 facts about our program. From our beginnings in 1974 to today, Future Problem Solving has always put our students first. Students at the 2024 International Conference participated in a trivia contest about our journey over the last five decades. Here is a modified list of Future Problem Solving facts on the path that has brought us to this point.

  1. The founder of Future Problem Solving was Dr. E. Paul Torrance.
  2. Originally, Dr. Torrance created Future Problem Solving as a curriculum for a high school class in Athens, Georgia.
  3. Future Problem Solving began in Georgia in 1974.
  4. The first National Bowl was held in 1978 in Athens, Georgia.
  5. The next two National Bowls were also held in Georgia.
  6. The 3 competition programs at the first National Bowl were Team Problem Solving, Individual Problem Solving, and Scenario Writing.
  7. The National Bowl was held at the University of Nebraska from 1979-1981.
  8. By 1978, there were 26 states participating in the program in the United States of America.
  9. In 1980, there were 18 state directors and a division known as the Open Division for teams in areas not served by state programs.
  10. Future Problem Solving became incorporated and obtained non-profit status in 1984, in Iowa.
  11. The National Bowl became known as the International Conference in 1985.
  12. Canada was the first country outside the United States to participate in Future Problem Solving.
  13. Community Problem Solving (Community Projects) became an official competition program in 1987.
  14. University of Michigan hosted the 15th anniversary of the International Conference.
  15. Australia became an official affiliate program in 1989, making Future Problem Solving a truly international program.
  16. In 1992, the first Board of Trustees was created.
  17. New Zealand became an official affiliate in 1994.
  18. In 1998, the first Future Problem Solving song was adopted. The song was written by a Community Project Team from Montana.
  19. In 1999, the “Fuzzy Situation” became known as the future scene.
  20. In 2006, the official name of the program was changed to FPSPI, Future Problem Solving Program International.
  21. In 2010, Team Problem Solving became known as Global Issues Problem Solving (Global Issues).
  22. The Alternates competition became known as MAGIC in 2013, which stands for Multi-Affiliate Global Issues Competition.
  23. In 2014, Future Problem Solving celebrated their 40th anniversary with a new song and an updated logo.
  24. In 2015, Scenario Performance (Storytelling) was added as a competitive component.
  25. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, our International Conference was virtual in 2020 and 2021.
  26. Türkiye became an official affiliate in 2019.
  27. The International Conference has always been held in the United States.
  28. April Michele is the current Executive Director of Future Problem Solving.
  29. In honor of our legacy of logos, we call our on-site store at the International Conference “Zippy Mart”.
  30. All competition future scenes are at least 20-25 years into the future.
  31. In the beginning, students had to create a minimum of 20 challenges and 20 solutions.
  32. The current Future Problem Solving headquarters is located in Florida.
  33. Students, coaches, parents, and members of the public can nominate and vote on future Future Problem Solving topics via the website.
  34. There is no limit to the number of students on a Community Projects team, but only 15 may participate in the International Conference interview.
  35. Affiliate Directors and other interested supporters may serve on the Future Problem Solving Board of Trustees.
  36. There are 38 US states currently participating in Future Problem Solving.
  37. There are currently 14 countries outside of the United States participating in Future Problem Solving with several others being mentored.
  38. Performers (Storytelling) are not allowed to use props and costumes to enhance their performance.
  39. Before Action Plan Presentations were developed, students participated in the “Selling Solutions” skits.
  40. At the International Conference, participants can meet new friends and trade items at the Memento Exchange.
  41. Every year at the International Conference, we host a Variety Show, showcasing student talent from around the world.
  42. Students must represent two or more affiliates in a Variety Show act, adding a fun community building experience!
  43. Dr. Ed Selby is the current Future Problem Solving choir director.
  44. At the 50th anniversary International Conference in 2024, there were 1,263 student participants.
  45. 242 schools were represented at the 2024 International Conference.
  46. 43 Community Projects were exhibited at the International Conference in 2024.
  47. More than 80 evaluators from around the world were needed to evaluate all competitive programs for the 2024 International Conference.
  48. More than 35 volunteers and alumni volunteered at the 2024 International Conference.
  49. Our final level of competition, whether as a National Bowl or International Conference, has been hosted at 17 different colleges and universities in the United States.
  50. Future Problem Solving teaches students HOW to think, not WHAT to think.

Thank you to Cyd Rogers and headquarters staff for putting together this list of fun facts and trivia.

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April Michele

April Michele Bio

Executive Director

A seasoned educator, April Michele has served as the Executive Director since 2018 and been with Future Problem Solving more than a decade. Her background in advanced curriculum strategies and highly engaging learning techniques translates well in the development of materials, publications, training, and marketing for the organization and its global network. April’s expertise includes pedagogy and strategies for critical and creative thinking and providing quality educational services for students and adults worldwide.

Prior to joining Future Problem Solving, April taught elementary and middle grades, spending most of her classroom career in Gifted Education. She earned the National Board Certification (NBPTS) as a Middle Childhood/Generalist and later served as a National Board Assessor for the certification of others. She was trained and applied the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (MYP) in Humanities, which helped widen the educational scope and boundaries beyond the U.S. In addition, April facilitated the Theory and Development of Creativity course for state level certification of teachers. She has also collaborated on a variety of special projects through the Department of Education.

A graduate of the University of Central Florida with a bachelor’s in Elementary Education and the University of South Florida with a master’s in Gifted Education, April’s passion is providing a challenging curriculum for 21st century students so they are equipped with the problem solving and ethical leadership skills they need to thrive in the future. As a board member in her local Rotary Club, she facilitates problem solving in leadership at the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA). She is also a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) from the Project Management Institute and earned her certificate in Nonprofit Management from the Edyth Bush Institute at Rollins College.