problem solving conference 2023

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In October, the Problem Solvers Caucus announced its endorsement of the Dignity Act. This landmark bipartisan legislation will halt the flow of illegal immigration, develop a more efficient asylum system, provide legal status for qualified undocumented individuals, and bolster the American economy.

With the average annual cost of child care in the United States exceeding $14,000, many Americans cite a lack of access to affordable, quality care as a barrier to reentering the workforce after the birth of a child. To address this, the Problem Solvers Caucus endorsed the Child Care Investment Act, legislation that will strengthen our country’s current and future workforce by bolstering access to affordable, quality child care.

In March, the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus announced its endorsement of the Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act, legislation that will facilitate the continuation of the Affordable Connectivity Program through the end of 2024.

Members of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus continue to dominate the top spots on the Lugar Center’s Bipartisan Index, accounting for 16 out of the 17 highest bipartisanship scores in the House of Representatives last year.

The bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus announced its endorsement of a bipartisan framework to avoid a government shutdown. The framework proposes passing a continuing resolution before September 30, 2023 to fund the government at the current levels through January 11, 2024.

The Providing Child Care for Police Officers Act seeks to combat the recent rise in law enforcement resignations and retirements by addressing the need for reliable child care. Law enforcement officers often work nontraditional hours, and accessible child care is a critical need for officers and their families.

The Problem Solvers Caucus endorsed a bipartisan debt ceiling framework comprised of steps to avoid defaulting on the national debt and advancing a sustainable budget. Building on the principles outlined in the Caucus’ bipartisan Debt Ceiling Framework, the Fiscal Responsibility Act raised the debt ceiling — preventing an economic disaster — and put our nation on a path to fiscal sustainability.

Welcome From The Co-Chairs

On behalf of the Problem Solvers Caucus’ members, we welcome you to our official website. We are all tired of the obstructionism in Washington where partisan politics is too often prioritized over governing and what is best for the country. This is why the Problem Solvers Caucus was formed, and why we are on a mission to change the culture of D.C. We are a bipartisan group of Members of Congress organized to get to "yes" to help solve some of our country’s most pressing challenges. Every week we are in Washington, you will find Problem Solvers, proud Democrats and Republicans, seated together around a table, debating, listening, and working together to help solve these issues.

Caucus Updates

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IT’S HERE! Register now for the 2024 GenAI World Solution Challenge. Sign up today -->

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Who are the winners of the IC 2024 competition?

What happens at the international conference, who gets invited to attend the international conference, when and where is the international conference held, can i compete in more than competition at the international conference, what does it cost to attend the international conference, when does ic registration take place, where do those attending the international conference stay, what is magic (multi-affiliate global issues competition), what is the excellence in project management award, what is the beyonder award, how does the global issues competition work, how does the action plan presentation portion of the competition work, how does the magic competition work, how does the community projects competition work, how does the scenario writing competition work, how does the scenario performance competition work, how can i prepare for attending the international conference, what ic events can non-participants attend as an observer, where can i find livestreams and videos of the international conference, [ic 2024] what is the schedule for this year’s event, [ic 2024] what sessions/workshops are available with this year’s event, [ic 2024] where is check-in located for this year, [ic 2024] where is parking located for this year, [ic 2024] what are the housing accommodations like, [ic 2024] how does the meal plan work, [ic 2024] what safety protocols are in place to protect students, [ic 2024] transportation and off-campus tours, [ic 2024] what is the topic for this year’s international conference, [ic 2024] how do i register for the international conference.

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April Michele

National problem solving conference

Welcome to the National Problem Solving Conference website!

In 2017, South Yorkshire Police were awarded a grant from the Home Office to lead a National Problem Solving Programme on behalf of all forces.

NPCC lead from Problem Solving, Chief Constable Lauren Poultney, is responsible for overseeing the delivery of this programme and overarching purpose of transforming ways of working and reducing demand, by embedding a structured problem solving ethos as a core discipline in policing.

To achieve this the programme facilitated a number of workstreams, one of which included the launch of the annual National Problem Solving Conference to explore, share and celebrate problem-solving initiatives and knowledge with both police and our partners at a local, regional and national level.

This annual conference has now been running for a number of years and an overview of previous events, along with outputs from our other programme workstreams is available on the Knowledge Hub.

You can also view content from our previous years’ conferences on our Problem Solving Knowledge Hub page and keep up to date with latest information by following us on Twitter @PSCP_Programme

NATIONAL PROBLEM SOLVING CONFERENCE 2024

SAVE THE DATE - 2nd-4th october 2024

Conference hub, download a copy of the draft agenda here, full delegate package - £595 per delegate includes: .

Full access to the conference over three days

A place at the Tilley Awards Gala Dinner

Two nights accommodation at the conference venue

All meals and refreshments for duration of the event

Book your place  here

We have a variety of exhibition opportunities available.  for further details contact: [email protected].

TILLEY AWARDS

The Tilley Awards celebrate problem-oriented projects that have achieved measurable success

in resolving issues faced by the police, partners

and/or the community.

By generating a reward system to recognise good practice in problem solving, the Tilley Awards increase the profile of the discipline in the UK. This best practice can be shared internationally, through our close links to the Goldstein Awards.

Click here for further information on entering the Tilley Awards.

For any enquiries relating to the Tilley Awards please contact: 

[email protected]

Kindly sponsored by:

Thanks for submitting!

FULL ADDRESS

South Yorkshire Police

Problem Solving and Crime Prevention

Carbrook House

5 Carbrook Hall Road

Sheffield, South Yorks, S9 2EG

T: 07464 985393

Email:   [email protected]

• Virtual Pre-CPSI

• 2024 Virtual Post-CPSI
• 2024 Keynote: Dr. Kiki Ramsey
• Bringing Teams to CPSI

Schedule and Programs

• CPS Level 1: Foundations of Creative Problem Solving
• CPS Level 2: Creative Problem Solving Tools
• CPS Level 3: Creative Problem Solving Facilitation Techniques
• CPS Level 4: Creative Problem Solving Instructor Training
• Sponsors/Partners
• Creative Education Foundation
• What’s Included

2024 Main Track Programs

Core CPS Track Immersion Track

Schedule at a Glance

The detailed daily schedule is available below via Sched.

If you have trouble with the schedule below, you can also access it here

• Design Guides & Application Forms
• Crime Prevention & Security Advice
• Interactive 3D Design Guide
• Building Regulations for Security
• Police Preferred Specification Explained
• Security Standards Explained
• Test & Certification Facilities
• Counter Terrorism
• Research, Case Studies & Guidance
• Sanctuary Scheme
• Places of Worship
• SBD Developers Award
• SBD National Building Approval (NBA)
• Learning & Development
• Secured by Design Alarm Systems
• Request a CPD Presentation
• Accredited Product Search
• List of Member Companies
• How to Join
• National Building Approval Membership
• Members Login
• How to get your IoT product SCD accredited
• Internet of Things – IoT Cyber Security Advice
• Secure Connected Devices
• Police Crime Prevention Academy (PCPA)
• Home Office Safer Streets Fund
• NPCC Security Systems Policy (Alarms)
• SBD Alarm Standard
• Community Safety Accreditation Schemes CSAS and RSAS
• Secured Environments
• ParkMark (Safer Parking)
• Licensing Security & Vulnerability Initiative
• Youth and Community Centre Safety Scheme

Police CPI supports National Problem Solving Conference 2023

Police CPI are once again one of the main sponsors of this years’ National Problem Solving Conference and Tilley Awards, being held between 3 rd and 5 th October.

The annual conference hears from a plethora of problem solving subject matter experts and leaders in this field, as well as hosting the prestigious Tilley Awards, which celebrate problem-oriented projects that have achieved measurable success in resolving issues faced by the police, partners and/or the community. By generating a reward system to recognise good practice in problem solving, the Tilley Awards increase the profile of the discipline in the UK. This best practice can be shared internationally, through close links to the Goldstein Awards.

To achieve this the programme facilitated a number of workstreams, one of which included the launch of the annual National Problem Solving Conference to explore, share and celebrate problem-solving initiatives and knowledge with both police and our partners at a local, regional and national level.

Police Crime Prevention Initiatives

Set up by the Police Service in 1989, Police CPI act as a catalyst to bring organisations together to reduce crime and the fear of crime and create safer communities. 

Police CPI deliver a wide range of innovative and ground-breaking crime prevention and demand reduction initiatives to support the wider UK Police Service, as well as the Government and the general public. It is a not-for-profit, police owned organisation, self-funded through its prevention activities. 

Part of the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) Prevention Coordination Committee, Police CPI works closely with central government, manufacturers and companies involved in security products (within the UK and those in countries that supply the UK), standards authorities and key stakeholders such as Planners, Architects, Developers, Local Authorities, Housing Associations, academia and the public. 

Senior police officers from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland control and direct the work Police CPI carries out on behalf of the Police Service, setting the strategic direction of Police CPI to ensure there are benefits for both the public and the police service.  The Chair of the NPCC, Gavin Stephens QPM, also chairs the Police CPI board of directors. 

Police CPI have a diverse mix of professional staff with a variety of expertise in specialist subjects, many of whom have honed their expertise during successful police careers and who have a passionate desire to serve by actively seeking ways to reduce criminality. 

The extensive Police CPI portfolio covers a variety of crime prevention initiatives, including: Police Crime Prevention Academy

The Police Crime Prevention Academy was formed at the beginning of 2017 due to the growing demand for training in crime prevention and problem solving, with the newly formed Academy taking over all national crime prevention and designing out crime training from the College of Policing. Since then the Academy has delivered training to police officers and staff from across the UK & Ireland, as well as to employees from many public and private sector organisations and officers from police services from around the world. The Academy offers learning and development that will upskill officers and staff - everyone who is engaged in policing, security and supporting safer communities - across a range of subjects. The Academy are also responsible for the mandatory yearly Continuous Professional Development (CPD) and three-yearly assessment that Police Designing Out Crime Officers (DOCOs), Crime Prevention Officers (CPOs) and Police Alcohol Licensing Officers (PALOs) are required to complete due to their roles being designated as specialist roles by the NPCC.

The Academy have worked with their awarding body, ProQual, to produce a series of new national vocational qualifications in subjects directly associated with crime prevention, problems solving and the development of safer communities. This has then been expanded to include qualifications that will be of interest to all those who operate publicly accessible locations, such as visitor attractions, transport hubs and shopping centres/malls. 

These qualifications are suitable for everyone and can be completed as professional development. The difference is that with a qualification, candidates will be asked after the initial training to be able to provide evidence that they have understood their new learning and can correctly apply it in the workplace. When the same course is completed as professional development, there is now end of course assessment. Just a simple knowledge check. We advocate qualifications because it will give the candidate and their employer the confidence that they have the ability to perform their role correctly. 

Secured by Design (SBD)

Secured by Design (SBD) is the official police security initiative. The housing boom of the 1960s, ‘70s and ‘80s, led to homes being built quickly and cheaply, often with little consideration given to security. Crime increased significantly, particularly burglary. In response, the Police Service set up SBD in 1989 and since it was launched SBD has built up a wealth of experience promoting crime prevention and security through active involvement in local communities – constantly adapting the advice to keep pace with changing patterns of criminal behaviour. SBD has worked with the Government to embed crime prevention into the planning process and establish police security standards in the building and construction industry. Across the UK SBD is delivered by local specialist officers called Designing Out Crime Officers (DOCOs). These officers work closely with architects, developers and local authority planners at the design stage to design out crime by improving the physical security of buildings and incorporating crime prevention techniques in the layout and landscaping of the immediate surroundings. Developers can achieve SBD awards for incorporating crime prevention measures and techniques into their developments in all kinds of building sectors, such as residential, education, health, transport, commercial, retail, sport and leisure.  More than one million homes have been built to SBD crime prevention standards across the UK – that’s 30% of all new homes built – with reductions in crimes such as burglary of up to 87% as reported by Police Scotland. These are sustainable reductions each and every year, which is significant as most SBD homes are in social housing, many in deprived and higher crime areas. On behalf of the UK Police Service, SBD also operates an accreditation scheme for products or services that have met recognised security standards. These products or services – which must be capable of deterring or preventing crime - are known as being of a ‘Police Preferred Specification’. The Police Preferred Specification scheme has been operating for nearly 25 years. It requires all security products to meet or exceed the performance expectations documented within the relevant security standard for that type of product. It ensures that the product is sufficiently robust to resist physical attack by casual and opportunistic criminals.  The SBD focus is on the critical factors that combine to deliver a product’s performance - design, use, quality control and the ability to deter or prevent crime. Products that have met the Police Preferred Specification provides reassurance to the specifier, purchaser or user that their products have been independently tested to a relevant security standard and fully certified by an independent third-party certification body recognised by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS), or tested and certified by an alternative approved body such as Sold Secure or Thatcham. Indeed SBD instigated the formation of the UK Test House Studies Group and Certification Bodies Group for doorsets, windows and lock products and have chaired these groups for almost 20 years with the sole aim being to ensure there is parity between test and certification bodies. Better quality means these products last longer too, making them more cost effective and leading to greater sustainability in crime prevention. The SBD website www.securedbydesign.com contains details of the many hundreds of companies who produce over 7000 individual attack resistant crime prevention products in more than 30 different categories that have met the exacting Police Preferred Specification. This includes doors, windows, external storage, bicycle and motorcycle security, locks and hardware, asset marking, alarms, CCTV, safes, IoT connected products, perimeter security products and many others. All of the companies have their full website and contact information listed, as well as a detailed list of all of the SBD accredited products which they provide. SBD is the only way for companies to obtain police recognition for security-related products in the UK. Secured by Design - Secure Connected Device accreditation

Following safety concerns regarding the increased use of Internet of Things (IOT) enabled devices with a security aspect, Police CPI took the stance that SBD member companies should comply with an appropriate standard. Initially the only available standard was costly and very exacting. By working with industry partners, we have seen a development of a wider range of standards more appropriate with the different levels of risk which the devices pose. 

With industry partners keen to demonstrate their social responsibility, Police CPI have developed a framework to assess the element of risk and to enable us to direct companies seeking our endorsement to an appropriate standard. Working closely with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS), now the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), Police CPI have been recognised as supporting their efforts to harden security in this sector. Very recent legislative changes are entirely in step with our endeavours in this area, and currently, Police CPI is the leading organisation in this area. 

Several large SBD member companies have satisfactorily gone through the Secure Connected Device accreditation process to date, recognising the value of the accreditation and joining. 

Secured by Design Sanctuary Scheme  

The primary aim of the SBD Sanctuary Scheme is to protect victims of domestic abuse in their own homes. A Sanctuary safe room is installed only in a home where the perpetrator no longer resides. It has a range of security features aimed at delaying unlawful entry and allowing time for the emergency services to arrive. Since its creation in 1998, the scheme has successfully helped thousands of victims of domestic abuse remain safe in their homes and maintain their social roots. It has also resulted in huge savings for Police Forces, healthcare services and local authorities, with less serious assaults to investigate, less families to re-house and less children to re-school.

Licensing Security and Vulnerability Initiative (Licensing SAVI)

The Licensing Security & Vulnerability Initiative (Licensing SAVI) was launched in 2021 to keep licensed premises safe for both staff and customers. 

Licensing SAVI supports the Government’s determination to protect women and girls from violence. Developed at the request of the Home Office, completion of the self-assessment can lead to Accreditation and an Award with a Star-Rating for display to show the efforts undertaken to enhance safety and security. 

Available as a confidential, online self-assessment, Licensing SAVI covers effective management practices and operational security, including critical issues like responsible drinking; drugs misuse; violent behaviour; safeguarding vulnerable customers and preventing opportunist theft. It also has a focus on improving physical security of a venue such as emergency exits, lighting and CCTV systems, to prevent crimes such as burglary and theft, with the aim of increasing the feeling of safety and reducing demand on the police. Venues are provided with bespoke advice and guidance regarding how they can make improvements to maximise safety and security. 

Already having users in over a hundred towns and cities across England and Wales, early indications show that Telford local authority (West Mercia) have noticed a significant reduction in the number of Police Incident Reports in premises that have been Licensing SAVI accredited.

Solve at MIT 2023

Flagship event.

It’s easy to think that the challenges facing us today are insurmountable – that the issues are too big and complex, that we are too divided and gridlocked to actualize solutions at scale. Yet, year after year, the Solve community uncovers incredible entrepreneurs and innovators who are facing these issues head-on and making a real difference in their communities and the world. Join us for Solve at MIT 2023, May 4-6 on MIT Campus, along with 400 social impact leaders to get inspired, build partnerships, tackle global challenges in real-time, and celebrate progress.

About the Event

Solve at MIT is an inspiring, interactive three-day event that brings together our Solve community and cross-sectors leaders from around the world committed to solving global challenges. Over the course of the event, attendees will have the opportunity to hear from leaders in social impact, connect with innovators looking to scale their solutions, form partnerships with like-minded individuals and organizations, and learn about the upcoming 2023 Global Challenges. 

Our annual Global Challenges are open to anyone, anywhere in the world. Through an open innovation platform, we source tech-based ideas, businesses, or products that solve urgent global problems. The most promising social entrepreneurs from across the world are chosen to join our Solver class in the areas of Economic Prosperity, Climate, Learning, and Health. Solve also selects a group of Indigenous Communities Fellows who are helping to make Native communities in the US thrive.

View the event schedule here . 

Want to join us for Solve at MIT?

Experience the magic of Solve at MIT from anywhere! Livestreamed plenary sessions will begin at the following times:

• Opening Plenary: Unlocking our Collective Potential Thursday, May 4: 1:00pm ET
• Morning Plenary: Ensuring a Just Transition to Net Zero Friday, May 5: 10:30am ET
• Closing Plenary: Bringing us Together or Tearing us Apart? Saturday, May 6: 11:30am ET

Featured Speakers

Lewis akenji, managing director, hot or cool institute, hina baloch, executive director of sustainability and environment, general motors, united states, manish bapna, president and ceo, national resources defense council, norhan m. bayomi, postdoctoral research associate at the mit environmental solutions initiative and lead research and co-lead of the mit climate machine, mit, lynette bell, president, truist foundation, founder and ceo, system, heather clancy, vice president and editorial director, greenbiz, founder and executive director, digital rights foundation, co-founder and ceo, uniti networks, celina de sola, co-founder & president, glasswing international, ellen fitzsimmons, chief legal officer & head of public affairs, truist, william gumede, founder and executive chairperson, democracy works foundation, adrianne haslet, boston marathon bombing survivor, global advocate for amputee rights, jacquelyn ingram, midwife, global health advocate, healthy mothers healthy babies coalition of hawaii, executive director, tarjimly, nneka jones, ​mariama kabia, digital equity accelerator lead, social impact, hp, sophia kianni, us representative, united nations youth advisory group on climate change, mtamu kililo, ceo, mycotile ltd, sangbae kim, director of the biomimetic robotics laboratory and professor of mechanical engineering , mit, janelle knox-hayes, professor of economic geography and planning, mit, department of urban studies and planning, sally kornbluth, president, mit, kelly levin, chief of science, data and systems change, bezos earth fund, elizabeth mcgovern, trustee, patrick j. mcgovern foundation, impact artist & entrepreneur, amy nordrum, executive editor, mit technology review, ms. cheri smith, mit solver & 2022 indigenous communities fellow | president & ceo, founder, alliance for tribal clean energy, kelsey wirth, co-founder & chair, mothers out front, beatie wolfe, whitney wolfe herd, founder and ceo, bumble, emily young, ceo and founder, moving health, related articles, solve at mit 2023: collaboration and climate efforts are at the forefront of social impact, mit solve announces the 2023 solv[ed] innovators.

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Training Information

DRC Conference

Dispute res olution center conference.

The DRC held its 31 st annual conference virtually on Friday, August 4, 2023.  The conference is eligible for the following educational credits:

CME for Certified Mediators :  The conference is eligible for 6.3 hours including 1.2 hours of mediator ethics. CPCE for Qualified Parenting Coordinators :  The conference is eligible for 6.3 hours including 1.2 hours of mediator ethics. 

CLE for Florida Attorneys :  The Florida Bar has approved the conference for 6.5 hours including 4.0 legal ethics, course number 2304950N. 

2021 DRC Conference –  CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDITS

Pre-Conference Trainings:

A to Z: Mediating Online

CME : Eligible for up to 4.0 hours including 1.0 hour of mediator ethics.

CLE : The Florida Bar has approved this pre-conference training for 4.0 general hours including 1.0 hour of legal ethics.   Course No. 2103812N.

Elder Mediation & Shared Family Decision-Making

CME : Eligible for up to 4.8 hours including 4.8 hours of cultural diversity (CD), 1.0 hour of mediator ethics (E), and 0.50 hour of interpersonal violence (IPV). 

CLE : The Florida Bar has approved this pre-conference training for 5.0 general hours. Course No. 2103810N.

Main Conference:

Conference:

CME : All of the main conference workshops and plenaries are 1.2 CME hours each. The conference is eligible for up to 9.6 hours including 1.2 hours of mediator ethics (E), and 1.2 hours of cultural diversity (CD).  Additional mediator ethics (E), interpersonal violence (IPV), and cultural diversity hours (CD) are available via individual workshops.

CLE : The Florida Bar has approved this conference for 9.5 general hours, including 1.0 hour bias elimination, 1.0 hour ethics and 1.0 hour technology. Course No. 2103813N

The Florida Dispute Resolution Center held its 25th Annual Conference for Mediators and ADR Professionals: "P assion, Purpose & Peacemaking " at the JW Marriott Grande Lakes in Orlando, Florida. The Florida Bar approval reference number is  1704003N  for  13.0 General ,  3.0 Bias Elimination , and  6.0 Legal Ethics  credits. Certification Credits: Civil Trial & Marital and Family Law  13.0 hours  each. Conference CME: Up to  13.2 hours  with a minimum of  1.5 hours  of mediator ethics and  2.1 hours  of interpersonal violence. 

The Florida Dispute Resolution Center held its 23rd Annual Conference for Mediators and ADR Professionals: "Treasuring the Past & The Spirit of Change" at the JW Marriott Grande Lakes in Orlando, Florida. The Florida Bar approval reference number is  1 504696N  for 1 4.0 general , and  9.0 ethics credits. Conference CME: Up to  14.1 hours  with a minimum of  1.5 hours  mediator ethics. 

• DRC CME Programs
• Certified Mediation Training Programs
• Continuing Mediation Education

Global Issues

Community projects, creative writing, storytelling, problem-solving method, real world issues, future scenarios.

• Authentic Assessments

5Cs of Learning

• Youth Protection
• DEIB Commitment
• International Conference
• Find FPS Near Me
• Partner With Us

Future-Ready

Discover our education programs, world solutions challenge.

Register your team to compete in the 2024 virtual problem-solving competition. The 2-week challenge window is November 4 to 19 and the topic is Generative AI (GenAI). No previous Future Problem Solving experience or affiliate is needed.

Ready for work, life, and to create a better future

Our proven educational outcomes are life-changing for students. We prepare young people to find solutions, take relevant action, and be a force for positive change. Our model ignites curiosity in real world issues and equips students with complex problem-solving skills. Once learned, these skills ensure students are ready to succeed in their classes today and in their work and life tomorrow. And in the age of AI, it’s more important than ever to make sure young people learn how to think and solve problems.

In a world where educators and students are confronted with a range of unprecedented challenges, Future Problem Solving helps students keep pace. Our standards-based and skill-based programs meaningfully engage young people in all the places and spaces they learn. With Future Problem Solving, students learn how to think, not what to think, and gain lifelong learning skills.

Our Competition Programs

Problem-solving skills stay for life, k-12 students each year, states within the u.s., countries around the world, years of equipping problem-solvers, our approach, building student agency.

Our proven 6-step process equips students with a problem-solving model to develop relevant action plans for any situation.

Our problem-solving situations highlight important challenges from business, civics, science, society, and technology.

Authentic Assessment

Our rubric-based evaluations provide learner-focused feedback to assess student learning and strengthen important skills.

Our future scenes are imagined storylines that present creative and futuristic problems to solve with current topic information.

Our interdisciplinary problem-solving process infuses important 21st Century Learning skills throughout all our programs.

Global Network

Our global community features passionate, dedicated, and successful students, educators, affiliates, alumni, supporters, and more.

Testimonials

The future we want.

Our Topic Center

Real issues engage and inspire learning.

Air Quality

How will the quality of air, a globally shared resource essential for human health and prosperity, impact us in the future?

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

How will the emerging uses of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) impact how we work, live, play, and learn?

How will emerging technologies and changing economies impact how the world uses currency in the future?

Throwaway Society

How will “throw-away” consumerism impact the environment, businesses, and consumers in the future?

Future Problem Solving Students – A Five Year Study

A comparison of reading and mathematics performance between students participating in a future problem solving program and nonparticipants.

Data from the The Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) was collected by Grandview Middle School and provided to Scholastic Testing Service, Inc. for statistical analysis.

Findings reported by Scholastic Testing Service, Inc. Performance data on the MCA was collected from 2010-2014 for students in grade 6 at Grandview Middle School in Mound, MN (Westonka Public School District). Students were identified as either FPS: students participating in a Future Problem Solving program, or Non-FPS: students not participating in the program. Summary statistics using Reading and Mathematics Scaled Scores were developed for each group of students by year and across years. To determine if the mean scores across the years were significantly different, t-tests were used. A Cohen’s d test was then performed to measure the effect of the size of the found differences.

In all cases, students participating in the Future Problem Solving Program performed significantly higher on the MCA in both areas of Mathematics and Reading.

Effects of Group Training in Problem-Solving Style on Future Problem-Solving Performance

The journal of creative behavior (jcb) of the creative education foundation.

Seventy-five participants from one suburban high school formed 21 teams with 3–4 members each for Future Problem Solving (FPS). Students were selected to participate in either the regular FPS or an enhanced FPS, where multiple group training activities grounded in problem-solving style were incorporated into a 9-week treatment period.

An ANCOVA procedure was used to examine the difference in team responses to a creative problem-solving scenario for members of each group, after accounting for initial differences in creative problem-solving performance, years of experience in FPS, and creative thinking related to fluency, flexibility, and originality. The ANCOVA resulted in a significant difference in problem-solving performance in favor of students in the treatment group (F(1, 57) = 8.21, p = .006, partial eta squared = .126, medium), while there were no significant differences in years of experience or creativity scores. This result led researchers to conclude that students in both groups had equivalent creative ability and that participation in the group activities emphasizing problem-solving style significantly contributed to creative performance.

In the comparison group, a total of 47% had scores that qualified for entry to the state competition. In contrast, 89% of the students in the treatment group had scores that qualified them for the state bowl. None of the teams from the comparison group qualified for the international competition, while two teams from the treatment group were selected, with one earning sixth place.

The results of this study suggest that problem-solving performance by team members can be improved through direct instruction in problem-solving style, particularly when there is a focus on group dynamics.

The Journal of Creative Behavior, Vol. 0, Iss. 0, pp. 1–12 © 2017 by the Creative Education Foundation, Inc. DOI: 10.1002/jocb.176

Future Problem Solving Program International—Second Generation Study

“how important was future problem solving in the development of your following skill sets”.

In 2011, a team of researchers from the University of Virginia submitted a report titled “Future Problem Solving Program International—Second Generation Study.” (Callahan, Alimin, & Uguz, 2012). The study, based on a survey, collected data from over 150 Future Problem Solving alumni to understand the impact of their participation in Future Problem Solving as students or volunteers.

Percentage of Alumni Rating Important and Extremely Important in Developing Skill Sets

• 96% Look at the “Big Picture”
• 93% Critical Thinking
• 93% Teamwork and Collaboration
• 93% Identify and Solve Problems
• 93% Time Management
• 90% Researching
• 90% Evaluation and Decision Making
• 86% Creativity and Innovation
• 86% Written Communication

The report captured alumni’s positive experiences as students in Future Problem Solving and documented that the alumni continued to utilize the FPS-structured approach to solving problems in their adult lives.

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. In addition, April facilitated the Theory and Development of Creativity course for the state of Florida’s certification of teachers. She has also collaborated on a variety of special projects through the Department of Education. Beyond her U.S. education credentials, she has been trained for the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (MYP) in Humanities.

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.

International conference on soft computing for problem-solving

Socpros 2023.

• 10-12 August
• Roorkee, India

Proceedings of the 12th International Conference on Soft Computing for Problem Solving

2024 POP Conference Presentations

• 2018     2019     2022     2023   2024

Goldstein Award Co-Winner , Greater Manchester Police  Operation Vulcan: Swooping in on the Counterfeit Capital of the UK 

• Neil Blackwood & Jen Kelly

Goldstein Award Co-Winner , Indonesia Ministry of Environment & Forestry,  Reforming Hunters to Reduce Snaring in Sumatra, Indonesia

• Dian Risdianto, Zaidi & Willy Marthy

Goldstein Award Finalist ,  Baltimore Police Department,  Reducing Gun Violence in Baltimore

• Kevin Jones, Stefanie Mavronis, Ty Kent, LaVern Murray & Jeremy Biddle

Goldstein Award Finalist , South Yorkshire Police, Operation Parksafe

• Kevin Smith & Sujata Kakadagi

Goldstein Award Finalist , Palm Springs Police Department,  Homelessness and Public Safety in Palm Springs

• Jorge Diaz, Jordan Belchamber, Frank Guarino, William Hutchinson & Kristi Smith

Dementia Safeguarding Scheme , Avon & Somerset Constabulary

• Stuart King

POP in the Wilderness

• Andrew Lemieux, James Slade & Elle J. Xu

Mapping Nature Crime: Place-Network Investigation of Neglected Places in Vietnam

• Problem Analysis For Wildlife Conservation Through Mentorship

Taking Back the Two-Nine: Neighborhood Crime Reduction , Tucson Police Department

• Sean Travers & Vincent Sullivan

Controlling the Nuisance of Squeegee-men in Baltimore , Baltimore Police Department and City of Baltimore

Operation Soteria (Improving Treatment of Sex Crimes Victims) , Durham Constabulary

• David Ashton

Leadership to Sustain Problem-Oriented Policing (panel discussion, no slides)

• Maris Herold, Shon Barnes, Lauren Poultney, Hugh Clements, Michael Scott, Gary Cordner (facilitator)

Teaching Problem-Solving Skills

• Ron Glensor, Greg Saville & Andrew Lemieux

Neighborhood Safety Planning in Several Cities

• Greg Saville & Tarah Hodgkinson

POP in Progress: Flash Presentations (University of Chicago Crime Lab)

• Kristen Mahoney (facilitator)

POP in Progress: Flash Presentations (SMART Policing)

• Chris Sun (facilitator)

Stratified Policing: A Business Model for Problem Solving to Reduce Crime & Disorder

• Rachel Santos, Roberto Santos, Shon Barnes & Lee Hunt

Introduction to Problem-Oriented Policing

• Michael Scott

Introduction to Problem Analysis

• Julie Wartell & Ray Kianes

Problem-Solving Thinking Tools

• John Eck & Tamara Herold

Interviewing Offenders for Problem Solving

• Mike Zidar & David Brinker

Reducing Racial Disparities through Problem-Oriented Policing

• Bob Scales & Tamara Herold

Prior Conference Presentations

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Computer Science > Computation and Language

Title: tree of thoughts: deliberate problem solving with large language models.

Abstract: Language models are increasingly being deployed for general problem solving across a wide range of tasks, but are still confined to token-level, left-to-right decision-making processes during inference. This means they can fall short in tasks that require exploration, strategic lookahead, or where initial decisions play a pivotal role. To surmount these challenges, we introduce a new framework for language model inference, Tree of Thoughts (ToT), which generalizes over the popular Chain of Thought approach to prompting language models, and enables exploration over coherent units of text (thoughts) that serve as intermediate steps toward problem solving. ToT allows LMs to perform deliberate decision making by considering multiple different reasoning paths and self-evaluating choices to decide the next course of action, as well as looking ahead or backtracking when necessary to make global choices. Our experiments show that ToT significantly enhances language models' problem-solving abilities on three novel tasks requiring non-trivial planning or search: Game of 24, Creative Writing, and Mini Crosswords. For instance, in Game of 24, while GPT-4 with chain-of-thought prompting only solved 4% of tasks, our method achieved a success rate of 74%. Code repo with all prompts: this https URL .

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