They've done the fundraising and now they're heading to the United States to test their problem-solving prowess.
Four Tauranga teenagers who hold the national title of middle school future problem solvers, fly out to the US on Monday to compete at the Future Problem Solving Programme International Conference, at the University
of Wisconsin in La Crosse, from June 10-13.
Students Cameron Witney, Loren McCarthy, Lydia Verschaffelt and James Brown topped the national middle division last year, earning themselves a spot.
They are the only team in the Bay of Plenty to earn a place in the world championship this year, and have embarked on a huge fundraising venture to pay for the trip, costing around $28,000.
Future Problem Solving co-ordinator for Tauranga Boys' College Keith Crawford said there had been huge help from local businesses, Tauranga Boys' and Girls' Colleges, and Future Problem Solving coach Peter Scott and drama teacher Andy Turner. The students would face tough competition, but had already proven how capable they are.
At last year's New Zealand National Global Issues Future Problem Solving competition held in Auckland, victory was a "huge achievement", he said.
The Future Problem Solving Programme is an educational scheme for gifted and talented students, offered in American schools since 1974 and introduced here in 1990.
Since then, a number of Tauranga teams have gone on to compete in America. Future Problem Solving is designed to stimulate critical and creative thinking and encourage students to develop a vision for the future. Mr Crawford said the programme also required students to apply ethical thinking skills.
The topic at the 2010 international conference is Green Living.
In a lead up to the competition, students have researched sustainable commodities, alternative energy systems, reducing pollution and recycling materials.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Working in teams of four, students are asked to find solutions for a social and scientific problem in a given fictional scenario set 20-50 years into the future. They then clarify which one is best, and devise an action plan. In a two-hour exam situation, students will use a six-step problem-solving process.
