Future Problem Solving Program International (FPSPI) is a cooperative activity that gifted students find highly stimulating. This nationwide program requires a team of five students to register with FPSP. The team is sent three future-oriented problems to solve that may include topics such as poverty, robotics, nuclear waste, crime, education, etc. The teacher acts as facilitator and guides the students through the process. The Future Problem Solving program is a joint venture with the developers of the Creative Problem Solving model (CPS) at the Center for Creative Learning. Click here to see how the two align.
Odyssey of the Mind (formerly Olympics of the Mind or OM) is a nationally recognized creative development program that gives a team of five to seven students a long-term problem that they work on throughout the school year. Once in the official competition venue, they are given an “on the spot” short-term problem to solve challenging their quick thinking creative skills. This is a program designed for both elementary and secondary gifted students. The teacher acts as facilitator and provides guidance throughout the process.
Camp Invention is another nationally recognized program that focuses on science and involves the invention process using creative thinking skills. This program can be done at your school during the summer. The Camp Invention organization provides all the materials. The program is run by a director (usually a teacher from the school hosting the Camp) and is based on a scientific theme with teachers providing activities throughout the day.
Interdisciplinary Arts Approach to Creative Problem Solving
The Lovewell Method of creative problem solving was designed for children (gifted and talented) from ages 14-20 years. It is a not-for-profit cultural arts organization that is dedicated to providing professional training and life-changing experiences for kids by using a multi-disciplinary spectrum of the arts to guide them in the creation and performance of original stage-worthy musical theatre that reflects as well as expands their social, environmental, and cultural community. (Lovewell Institute, 1988)
At this time, read Metaphors and Analogies. When you have finished reading, continue with the course content.