Hinsdale Middle School Future Problem Solvers Heading to State

The extra-curricular activity “Future Problem Solvers” (FPS) involves exactly what the name implies – a group of students working together to solve a problem. However, the workload needed to succeed in the regional, state, national and international FPS competitions is far more intense than many may realize. The Hinsdale Middle School team is ready for the challenge as they prepare for the state competition April 12-13 in Normal, Illinois. Team members include eighth grader Ayan Agarwal and seventh graders Peter Mercurio, Sam Rasmussen and Conor Donlevy.

Each team of Future Problem Solvers is given a broad topic and has to complete a specific series of steps to develop statements on problems that might be associated with that topic and then outline the solutions to those problems. The competition has students sitting as teams in tables spread throughout a gymnasium-type space as they craft answers to each section, write an essay and prepare a skit to demonstrate the problem and solution they have identified.

The Illinois Future Problem Solvers Bowl, Inc. website lists a number of key benefits of the experience, noting that the program is rooted in curriculum and instruction. Students are encouraged to improve their critical and analytical thinking skills as well as creative thinking abilities. The program also helps to extend students' written and verbal communication skills and improves their research confidence. 

Through a collaborative effort, students work together in a self-directed manner to prepare. Hinsdale Middle Coach Chris Reid describes the team as independent; they use Google Docs to share notes and findings and talk regularly to discuss strategy. Team members note that they are often up late, after finishing homework, to contribute to the team’s understanding of their topic. By dividing the work using the team’s strengths, the four say they make the workload more manageable. While one may be a strong note taker, another team member may be better at organizing the information in a way that is useful. 

Reid commends the group for their above-and-beyond commitment. They began working together only just before winter break, Reid explains, when many teams had already been planning at the start of the school year. The group thanked Reid for his support and also acknowledged Dr. Trevor Steinbach, the regional representative for FPS who served as a mentor during their preparation. 

The friends say the experience has been an interesting one. “Even if we don’t do well at state,” they shared, “It was still really fun.”

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Caption: The Hinsdale Middle School Future Problem Solvers team is traveling to Normal, Illinois to compete at the state level after success at the regional level.