2024 National Future Problem Solving Champions

Two students from Pacific Lutheran College’s Pacific Plus program recently excelled at the National Future Problem Solving Competition in Melbourne. Jessica Cronin, Year 8 student, received the title of 2024 Champion in the Community Problem Solving Individual Middle College Division, while Year 9 student, Amy Richards secured 2nd place in the Global Issues Problem Solving Middle College Division. Jessica’s award acknowledged the success of her 2030 in Focus project, while Amy prepared a six-step problem solving booklet, including an action plan, in response to a scenario focused on autonomous transport in the future. As a result of their remarkable accomplishments, both students have been invited to attend the International Conference in the United States next year.

This year, Pacific Plus students across Years 6-11 participated in the Global Issues Problem Solving section of the Future Problem Solving (FPS) Competition, exploring the future challenges of Tourism, Urbanisation, Antarctica and Autonomous Transport.

Using the FPS model, Year 7 Pacific Plus participants also took part in this year’s Community Problem Solving program, formulating proposals for projects to tackle issues within the local community. All students demonstrated the characteristics of effective problem solvers, showing skills of futuristic thinking, innovation, divergent thinking and analytical research.

Student projects included the Travel Buddies who sewed toys, that are available for students to borrow from the library during extended absences, the Litter Leaders promoted the importance of keeping the College grounds tidy for Koda, our Pacific Wellbeing dog, and Peaceful Pathways, a group of Middle College students who recognised that students experience increased stress during assessment periods, leading them to create strategies for breaks throughout lessons. 

We congratulate all Pacific students who attended and participated in the Future Problem Solving Competition, which provided a valuable learning experience for everyone involved.

Mrs Jo Belchamber, Head of Learning Middle College