Register for the 2026 Invasive Species World Solutions Challenge Sign up today

Future Problem Solving Logo
Find FPS Near Me
  1. Home
  2. Everything Else
  3. How are Future Problem Solving topics selected?

How are Future Problem Solving topics selected?

Our topics represent important challenges from business, civics, society, science, and technology and serve as the thematic basis for given problem solving situations. Each school year, students get 3-5 opportunities to solve important near-future global issues based on their progress in local and regional competitions. To be considered, a topic must be broad enough to appeal to participants living around the globe, offer a range of themes and issues to explore, and be considerate of a variety of views. Lastly, of course, every topic must be accessible for all, from ages 8-18.

Each school year, two practice problems and one qualifying problem are available for all to complete. Those who qualify for their regional affiliate finals compete in a fourth problem for a chance to attend our annual World Finals in June. We announce all four problem topics annually on March 1 for the upcoming competition season and release additional topic details in June. Visit our Topics Center to check out our topics pages in June to see the full topic information, including suggested readings.

2026-2027 Season topics

2025-2026 Season topics

2024-2025 Season topics

Submit your topic idea

We welcome ideas for future competition topics from anyone in our global community and accept submissions year round. Given our review process and resource development cycle, it often takes several years for a new topic to reach students. By utilizing real issues and embracing the future, we stay relevant in the ever-evolving educational space. Submit your idea today!

Related Articles

Need help?

Send us an email.
Contact Us

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.