Community Problem Solving
CmPS provides one of the most significant learning experiences available to a student confronting a real-life problem. A community problem may be one that exists within the school setting, local community, region, state, or nation. CmPS is not part of Governor’s Cup, but the awards for CmPS are presented at the FPS Component Events Award Ceremony immediately preceding the Governor’ Cup State Finals Award Ceremony in March.
Participation Guidelines
There are two types of CmPS: Individual and Team.
CmPS teams are limited to 15 students and 2 coaches. There is no limit to the number of projects or teams, and two or more schools may combine to form a team. CmPS Divisions are:
- Junior – Grades 4-6
- Middle Grades – Grades 7-9
- High School – Grades 10-12
Deadlines
- Intent to Submit: Complete the CmPS Registration Form by the first Friday of December
- Project Proposal: To be submitted by the first Friday of January--up to a 2000-word document identifying and analyzing the Area of Concern and the student's anticipated actions to be completed. This document provides insight into the planning of the project.
- Project Report: Last day of February--up to 3500-word document actually presents the efforts undertaken, tasks accomplished, project modifications and student reflections during the implementation of the project. It reveals the actual work accomplished by the student/s and the progress made to fulfill the goals established in the Underlying Problem. Emphasis on the Action Plan is evidenced as the students explain about the project's importance to the community identified by the participants.
Cost
The registration fee is $75 per each entry in both Team and Individual CmPS. Each registered team or individual can access materials to aid them in their project from the Community Problem Solving link.
How to Begin
Generate ideas from classroom discussions, local issues, literature, local newspapers, agencies, magazines, and churches as well as from the students themselves. Interview community members for ideas about problem areas. Talk with city officials, school board members, leaders of community action groups or with experts using a video-conference from anywhere in the world that can give you relevant information about your project.
Evaluation uses criteria from the international CmPS standards and will take place before the State Finals. Participants will attend the KAAC sponsored State Finals Award Ceremony for FPS Component Events on Monday. Participants will supply additional supporting materials: Portfolio and Display and be part an interview with our state evaluators. The promotional video about the team's project may be submitted, but it will not be scored at this time. The advancing teams to FPSP International Conference (IC) will be announced at the FPS Component Events Award Ceremony immediately preceding the Governor’s Cup Award Ceremony. Your team does not need to be present at the awards ceremony to advance to the International competition.
QUESTIONS about billing? Email Cindy Clark
QUESTIONS about the event? Email Chris Hill
Team CmPS Registration
Individual CmPS Registration
See Component Events for Key Dates