Strategic Problem Solving Component Events

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Mission: Possible

All Divisions

Included in your school's annual dues

Mission: Possible 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 Mission: 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.

Flash Fiction

All Divisions

Included in your school's annual dues

Flash Fiction 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

Speakers Spotlight

All Divisions

Included in your school's annual dues

Speakers Spotlight was designed to enable participants to showcase their creativity through verbal communication and oration.  Speakers Spotlight 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

Movie Makers

4

All Divisions

Included in your school's annual dues

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

Doubles SPS

11

One Division for 6th Graders and One Division for 9th-10th Graders

Included in your school's annual dues

In Doubles SPS two students work through the SPS process. Doubles 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

Junior Division Strategic Problem Solving

Grades K-6 Only

Included in your school's annual dues

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.

Singles Strategic Problem Solving

All Divisions

NOT included in your school's annual dues: $35 registration fee

In Singles 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

Middle Grades & High School

NOT included in your school's annual dues: $10 registration fee

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