What is Global Issue Problem Solving?
Overview
Global Issues Problem Solving (GIPS) is a team or individual activity in which participants research a series of global topics and learn a six-step creative problem solving process. In competition, participants apply their knowledge and the problem solving process to address a Future Scene, an imagined situation set in the future. Topics for the Future Scenes include global issues in the areas of business & economics, science & technology, and social & political areas. Each year five topics are addressed: two practice problems, a qualifying problem, an Affiliate Bowl/Final problem, and the problem at the International Conference.
Benefits
Students learn in depth about topics of global importance, systematically address related complex situations, and evaluate multiple solutions in order to best address the situation through an Action Plan.
Those involved in Global Issues Problem Solving practice powerful problem solving skills using critical and creative thinking. Participants improve their communication skills through collaboration and learning to write concisely with a specific focus in mind. The nonfiction/informational text reading skills, writing skills, and team collaboration skills address many academic standards identified as critical skills by Common Core, STEAM, 21st Century Skills, and National Association for Gifted Children.
Topics
For GiPS, Scenario Writing, and Scenario Performance
2020-21
Youth in Competitive Sports
2020-21
Wearable Technology
2020-21
Human Environmental Impact
2020-21
Personalized Medicine
2019-20
International Travel
2019-20
Sleep Patterns
2019-20
Living in Poverty
2019-20
Gamification
2018-19
Mission to Moon Mars and Beyond
2018-19
Drones
2018-19
Food Loss and Waste
2018-19
Coping with Stress
Six-Step Problem Solving Model
1Identify Challenges
- Generate issues, concerns, and problems, applying background knowledge to the Future Scene.
- Consider major issues and categories of problems in order to think of more challenges.
- Select the sixteen best challenges.
- Write the sixteen challenges clearly and concisely, showing cause and effect and tying directly to the Future Scene.
2Select an Underlying Problem (UP)
- Consider the major issues in the sixteen challenges.
- Select an issue, one that will have a major impact on the Future Scene, for the focus of the Underlying Problem.
- Be forward-looking and proactive, not regressive and reactive, in developing the UP.
- Write the Underlying Problem in correct format, beginning with the Future Scene conditions that are the basis or rationale for the idea.
- Indicate a desired action to be taken, a purpose for the desired action, and parameters tying the problem to the Future Scene.
3Produce Solution Ideas
- Generate multiple solutions to the Underlying Problem.
- Think futuristically and consider the use of technological advances.
- Focus in on the 16 best solution ideas, checking that each idea addresses the UP.
- Write the 16 solutions clearly.
- Elaborate by telling who will implement the solution, what action will be taken, and how or why the action will be taken.
4Generate & Select Criteria
- Considering the UP and the Future Scene, generate criteria that could be used to evaluate the solutions.
- Select five important criteria to be written in question format.
- Write criteria using the superlative form, one dimension, and the desired direction.
5Apply Criteria
- Select the eight most promising solutions and enter in the grid.
- Rank the solutions based on each of the criteria separately.
- Identify the best solution (highest number of total points).
6Develop an Action Plan
- Plan how the best solution can be implemented.
- Describe the actions and steps of the plan.
- Clearly state how the plan will address the Underlying Problem and impact the Future Scene.
Congratulations to 2020 State Bowl Qualifiers!
Angela Ling, Miles Mackenzie, Meghna Yennu
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