We are pleased to share recent academic achievements from our Future Problem Solvers (FPS)!
This year, we had multiple teams ranging from 4th grade to 11th grade competing in the Future Problem Solving Global Issues Problem Solving Competition. Each solve throughout the year focused on a different topic that students researched in advance. On competition day, teams of three to four students had two hours to respond to a given scenario by writing challenges, identifying an underlying problem, proposing solutions, developing criteria to evaluate those solutions, and creating an action plan for their top choice. Unlike many academic competitions, FPS does not separate participants by school size, meaning our students competed against teams from 1B to 4A-sized schools across the state.
This year’s competition topics included invasive species, space exploration, video games, and surveillance. The state qualifier took place on January 29th, and multiple teams across the district advanced to the state level.
Elementary students who qualified for state are Magie Arvizu-Mascorro, Josie Henderson, Maya Messerschmidt, Hailey Martin, Gunnar McCurdy, and William Hitchcock.
Middle school students who qualified are Bailey Messerschmidt, Miles Lipton-McKinstray, Alexis Bryant, Charlotte Hill, and Patrick Hill.
High school students who qualified are Anna Lau-Woodrow, Finnley Cushing, Adeline Heins, and Ava Sen.
Elementary and Middle School teams are coached by Kristen Anderson, CERSD Highly Capable Program Coordinator. The High School team is coached by Kariana Beyer, CERHS English Teacher.
The district is extremely proud of these students for their hard work, collaboration, and achievement at the state level. Prior to departure, the team was honored with a State Send-Off organized in partnership with the local fire department, recognizing their accomplishments and wishing them success in the competition. The district is grateful for the continued support of the community in celebrating and encouraging student achievement.