The 2025 regional affiliate champion senior division community projects from around the world submitted these summaries and promotional videos to showcase their service learning impact. Each individual and student team applied our problem-solving process in their communities to create lasting change.
TEAMS
AI in Action
Artificial Intelligence is being implemented in everything we know. AI use in the educational world is still new and has only emerging guidelines for students and teachers. AI in Action focused on equipping teachers and students with the knowledge of available AI tools so that students were able to benefit from using AI in an academic setting. If students do not learn how to use AI responsibly, they risk falling behind in a fast changing world.
Florida Future Problem Solving – Matanzas High School (Coach: Amy Kopach)
The Future in the Light of the Past
According to 2025 TÜİK data, the population aged 65 and over in İzmir has reached 13.3%; 34.7% of these individuals live alone. Loneliness and social isolation lead to psychological issues among the elderly. We organized a 7-week series of activities at Yakamoz Nursing Home. Through activities like coloring, crafts, and a mini-concert, we supported the elderly’s social participation. Our pre and post tests showed positive results! To raise awareness we created posters, presentations, and interviews. We also delivered, in person, a petition introducing our project to the Çiğli District Directorate of National Education, and requested collaboration with student volunteers from sister schools
Türkiye Future Problem Solving – Cigli Science Anatolian HS (Coach: Ülfet Tuncay)
Harmony for the Heart: Music Outreach to Senior Center
Our project, Harmony for the Heart, tackles social isolation in senior citizens through the power of live music. After learning how loneliness impacts mental and physical health in older adults, we began organizing live violin performances at local senior centers. By combining music from our school’s Sinfonia orchestra with meaningful interactions, we aim to uplift spirits and create intergenerational connections. The response has been overwhelmingly positive: residents smile, sing along, and even share their own stories. We’re now expanding our efforts with more volunteers, new locations, and additional programming to ensure no senior ever feels forgotten or alone.
Ohio Future Problem Solving – Solon High School (Coach: Tanya Perez)
Life of Laughter
Life of Laughter is a group of high school students dedicated to bringing joy and connection to seniors through the power of improvisational comedy. They perform free, hour-long improv shows at independent and assisted living facilities across San Diego, creating moments of laughter and engagement for residents in all levels of care. The improv comedy promotes wellness by fostering opportunities for laughter and supports fitness through the mental stimulation of playing improv games with audience members. Life of Laughter has already performed at three senior homes in the San Diego area and plans to expand their operations.
California Future Problem Solving – Canyon Crest Academy, Torrey Pines High School, Del Norte High School (Coach: Ariella Leeder)
The M.Y.T.H.S. Project
M.Y.T.H.S – Make Your Time Here Safer. We focus on overdose prevention and harm reduction related to drug use. Overdosing is one of the most significant problems in our community, so we decided to do something about it. We repurposed 10 newspaper boxes into Narcan carrying containers, placed all over our county. They have Narcan, overdose reverser, fentanyl and xylazine test strips, medicine deactivation pouches, medication lockboxes, rehab papers, papers on myths and misconceptions about drug use, and more. Our boxes can be accessed freely and anonymously in an attempt to combat this epidemic that is tainting our community too frequently.
Kentucky Future Problem Solving – West Carter High School (Coach: Chris Blankenship)
NextGen Civics
NextGen Civics is a community project led by three high school students in the greater Charlotte area of North Carolina. Their goal is to improve civic literacy in their area, empowering fellow members of their generation to use their voices and become civically involved in their community. Through social media campaigns and much, much more, these three students strive to make a positive impact in their area, inspiring all to remain civically engaged.
North Carolina Future Problem Solving – Weddington High School and Ardrey Kell High School (Coach: Sonimol Prasanna Kumary)
P.E.A.C.E. Of Mind
P.E.A.C.E. Of Mind, which stands for “positivity equals a caring environment,” is dedicated to spreading awareness about kids’ mental health, providing resources, and promoting mental wellness and mindfulness in our community. P.E.A.C.E. of Mind has been an active project since 2023. Our mission: Because adolescents in Pearland expressed a desire for mental health support earlier in their lives, how might we maximize the opportunities for a wider range of children (ages 5-17) in Pearland to learn about positive mental health habits so that they are more successful in their pursuit for a mentally healthy lifestyle in 2024 and beyond?
Texas Future Problem Solving – Glenda Dawson High School (Coach: Marissa Blakley)
Project Bear Aware
We are Project Bear Aware, the Community Projects team from Mahwah High School in New Jersey. Black bear populations have increased around 80% in Northern New Jersey since 2018, and there have been 237% more incidents reported from January through October this year compared to the same period last year, including attacks on dogs and 62 aggressive encounters with humans. Frighteningly, most people surveyed didn’t know how to respond to a bear encounter. Project Bear Aware’s objective is to improve public awareness regarding bear safety, so that people are better prepared in the event of a black bear encounter.
New Jersey Future Problem Solving – Mahwah High School (Coaches: Justin Saputski, Christine Hartigan Miller)
Project Homeward Bound
Project Homeward Bound originated in the spring of 2024 after our local community development program, Vermilion Advantage, invited our FPS team to discuss ways for area businesses and potential employers to connect with area high school students. After further research, we discovered there are many job opportunities for young adults with the proper training and education. However, our students needed the chance to explore these jobs to know the training or degrees required. We created Career Shares and Career Conversations to allow students the chance to explore and gain some hands-on career knowledge during school hours.
Illinois Future Problem Solving – Danville High School (Coach: Lori Woods)
Project Motivating Mature Minds
Project Motivating Mature Minds empowers elders in Sinton, Texas, to navigate modern technology confidently. With over 60% of the elderly population uncomfortable using digital devices, the team offers in-person and one-on-one training, educational handouts, video tutorials, and social media support. Collaborating with local leaders, businesses, and volunteers, the project reaches underserved seniors through resources in both English and Spanish. It builds community connections, combats isolation, and promotes digital independence. Through measurable outcomes and adaptive strategies, the initiative has already improved tech confidence and knowledge among participants, ensuring long-term sustainability and a meaningful impact on elder well-being and inclusion.
Texas Future Problem Solving – Sinton ISD (Coach: Cori Gandara)
Project Pave
Pave is a team dedicated to improving students’ preparation for a successful college experience by increasing awareness about various aspirations and providing students with opportunities to speak with experienced individuals. We additionally create engaging resources on platforms where students are most available. We aim to host more events where students can seek advice and have open conversations about their professional goals in a comfortable environment.
New Jersey Future Problem Solving – West Windsor-Plainsboro High School North (Coach: Donna Grygiel)
Project REAL Health
Hello, we are Project REAL Health, dedicated to increasing health and wellness literacy amongst young adults in the Pearland area. Our project focuses on the real side of health, notably, debunking misinformation and pseudoscience in the media, while also fostering healthy habits \and knowledgeable bases for kids to check their health information. Together, we’re determined to ensure every kid in Pearland is able to take control of their own health!
Texas Future Problem Solving – Glenda Dawson High School (Coach: Marissa Blakley)
Project STEMulate
Project STEMulate aims to address educational inequality in Singapore by providing primary schoolers from disadvantaged backgrounds with equal learning opportunities in STEM such as workshops, newsletters, learning journeys and tutoring to foster their curiosity in STEM, we hope these experiences encourage them to pursue STEM-related opportunities. With over 50 youth volunteers (aged 14-18), we partnered four organisations to conduct more than 40 workshops. These sessions, designed to spark children’s curiosity and confidence towards STEM, have impacted over 150 primary schoolers through interactive activities. Find out more about us at projstemulate.com or on Instagram at @proj.stemulate.
Singapore Future Problem Solving – Raffles Girls’ School (Secondary) (Coach: Lim Shi Zhi)
Saving Earth’s Wardrobe (SEW)
Project S.E.W., Saving Earth’s Wardrobe is run by two 11th grade students at a high School. As teenagers who thrift and want to learn how to up-cycle their old and thrifted clothing, we realized the sustainability that up-cycling provides and realized we needed to spread these skills and practices to help save our environment from all the negative effects of the fast fashion industry.
Florida Future Problem Solving – Flagler Palm Coast High School (Coaches: Danielle Moss, Anabella Giuliano)
Team Echo
Team Echo is designed to raise awareness about emotional abuse among high school students. We want to help young people recognize, understand, and stand against emotionally abusive behaviors such as manipulation, belittling, threats, and social isolation. Through interactive workshops, theater performances, awareness storybooks, and expert talks, and other creative activities we fostered empathy, open dialogue, and critical thinking. A major accomplishment was the development of a mobile app featuring podcasts and an AI-supported tool that answers students’ questions about emotional abuse. By combining peer-driven action with digital innovation, Team Echo created a lasting impact on emotional well-being within the school community.
Türkiye Future Problem Solving – Sinav Schools, Ankara Central (Coach: Merve Alpaydin Ureten)
INDIVIDUALS
Bites4All
Bites4All aims to mitigate food insecurity and food waste within local communities in Louisville, Kentucky by hosting community engagement events and developing an app designed to connect individuals with surplus food to those in need. This provides the opportunity to access healthy foods more efficiently as compared to finding a reliable method of transportation to a grocery store that’s miles away from where they live. The app allows users to share their location, what food they have, and how much of it. Bites4All also conducts educational initiatives at local middle schools to promote food waste prevention and community awareness.
Kentucky Future Problem Solving – Dupont Manual High School (Coach: Jill Lauroesch)
Cognitive Connections
Cognitive Connections is dedicated to fostering brain health awareness and community engagement through innovative programs and events. This initiative focuses on the importance of keeping the brain healthy by educating individuals on lifestyle habits that maintain cognitive wellness. Cognitive Connections educates kids, teens, adults, and seniors through in-person sessions about the five pillars of brain health: nutrition, physical exercise, sleep, emotional well-being, and cognitive fitness. The vision is also to reach a larger audience through its website, podcast series, and Instagram posts. Through these platforms, Cognitive Connections provides practical tips, engaging activities, and resources to preserve one’s brain health.
Ohio Future Problem Solving – Solon High School (Coach: Tanya Perez)
The FAST! Project
Inspiration for the project came from seeing so many structure fires in my community, some including injuries and death. The FAST! Project focuses on fire prevention and volunteer firefighter recruitment. FAST! stands for Fire Awareness Safety and Tactics. I created ‘The FAST! Project” website and included information given from the NFPA, highlighting how fires start and prevention methods. I promoted the site through social media, posters, and pamphlets. Many fire departments across Carter County and Boyd County have shared the project. Since I started, there has been a 45% decrease in structure fires within Carter County, KY
Kentucky Future Problem Solving – West Carter High School (Coach: Chris Blankenship)
Building Shining Tomorrows (BOOST
Project BOOST is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to increasing STEM accessibility for marginalized students in the northern suburbs of Dallas and beyond. Through mentorship, outreach events, and an accessible curriculum, BOOST has impacted 3,300+ students across 15 states. The organization has raised over $6,000 in sponsorships and developed a sustainable chapter system, with its first international expansion in New Zealand. Led by a structured leadership team, BOOST continues to grow through partnerships, funding, and digital engagement.
Texas Future Problem Solving – Prestonwood Christian Academy (Coach: Shannon Lichty)
