Strategic Problem Solving Component Events
Applied Strategic Problem Solving
ASPS provides one of the most significant learning experiences available to a student confronting a real-world problem. A real-world problem may be one that exists within the school setting, local neighborhood, region, state, or nation.
There are two types of ASPS: Individual and Team.
The 2026-27 competition Dates are:
- Registration Deadline: TBD
- Proposal Deadline: TBD
- Project Submission Deadline: TBD
- State Competition: March 22, 2027 at the Governor’s Cup State Finals.
Short Story Showcase
The Short Story Showcase Competition helps to encourage futuristic thinking as students create fictional writing about one of the competitive topics from the current season. The product is a short story in which one possible outcome of the future is developed through character(s) and plot.
The 2026-27 Competition Dates are:
- Submission Deadline: TBD
Creative Monologue
Creative Monologue was designed to enable participants to showcase their creativity through verbal communication and oration. Creative Monologue is not the memorization of lines for a drama, but should be "told" in a more natural or "spontaneous" nature.
The 2026-27 Competition Dates are:
- Registration Deadline - TBD
- Video Submissions Due - TBD
Cinematic Production
Teams of 1 to 4 students will develop a 3 to 5 minute short film on one of the competitive topics of the current season. A short film may be any format including: live-action, stop-action, animation, etc.
The 2026-27 Competition Dates are:
- Registration Deadline - TBD
- Video Submissions Due - TBD
Junior Division Strategic Problem Solving
KAAC sponsors SPS Junior Division for students in grades K-6. The Junior Division is offered as a separate competition and is not part of Governor’s Cup Competition.
The 2026-27 competition Dates are:
- Registration Deadline: TBD
- Qualifying Competition: TBD
- State Competition: March 19, 2027 at the Governor’s Cup State Finals.
Individual Strategic Problem Solving
In Individual SPS one student works through the SPS process. Individuals generate 8 concerns in Step 1, and 8 solutions in Step 3. Steps 2, 4, and 5 are exactly the same as the team competition.
The 2026-27 Competition dates are:
- Registration Deadline - TBD
- Competition - TBD
Alternate Strategic Problem Solving
Students who are alternates on SPS teams that advanced to state finals.
Students who enter the Alternate Strategic Problem Solving Competition will be placed randomly on teams with other alternate students from around the state.
Schools can enter as many students as desired.
The 2026-27 Competition dates are:
- Registration Deadline - TBD
- Competition - TBD