Scenario Writing & Scenario Performance

Scenario Writing and Scenario Performance components are for those creative problem solvers that like to write as well as tell stories.

Scenario Writing (SW) is a competition in which individuals develop short stories related to one of five FPS topics for the year. The story (1500 words or less) is set at least 20 years in the future and is an imagined, but logical, outcome of actions or events taking place in the world today. The first place winner in each Affiliate Program is invited to the FPSP International Conference.

Additionally, each Affiliate Director may submit its top three scenarios to the International Scenario Writing Competition. The top 5 international winners in each division are invited to the International Conference in June.

The top five scenarios from each division in the Future Problem Solving Program International Scenario Writing Competition, plus the winning Junior, Middle, and Senior Division Scenario Writing Team Champions are included in the Scenario Writer Champions Book. It also includes evaluator scores and comments. Read the best scenarios from around the world and see what makes them champions!

-Students select and research one of the topics for the year
-Students use the six-step problem solving process to develop the plot and resolution of their own scenario
-Students write their scenario as a short futuristic story
-Students submit their completed scenario for competition at the affiliate (state) level as a written or oral piece
-Scenarios are written by individual students – there is no team option
-Trained evaluators score the submitted scenarios
-One scenario is written each year

Three divisions are offered: Junior (grades 4-6), Middle (grades 7-9), and Senior (grades 10-12).

Scenario Performance (ScP) is for students who enjoy telling stories. This option is ideally suited to students who show thinking abilities in different ways – particularly for those whose cultural heritage and/or learning styles prefer oral communication.

Scenario Performances are connected to the annual FPSPI Scenario Writing topics as participants develop futuristic stories to present in a creative and entertaining manner. The stories do not have to be written, rather they are performed!

-Students select and research one of the topics for the year
-Students use the six-step problem solving process to develop a plot and resolution for their futuristic story
-Students use oral storytelling techniques to present their story
-Storytelling performances are submitted digitally
-Trained evaluators score the submitted performances
-One story is submitted each year

Three divisions are offered: Junior (grades 4-6), Middle (grades 7-9), and Senior (grades 10-12).