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LEAP - Fortier

Ms. Fortier's curriculum pairs elements of PLTW Launch with Future Problem Solving Program International (FPS).  FPS is an innovative, challenging, and rigorous academic competition program that is based on four competitions throughout the school year. The competition utilizes critical thinking skills, writing, reading, research, and teamwork while encouraging students to develop a vision for the future and preparing them for leadership roles. 

The FPS program: 

  • Comprehensively meets standards for curriculum and instruction; 
  • Stimulates critical and creative thinking skills; 
  • Encourages students to develop a vision for the future; 
  • Features curricular and co-curricular opportunities to engage students in problem solving; 
  • Allows students to participate in academic oriented competitions; 
  • Provides varied themes and topics for students to develop research and investigative skills; 
  • Promotes written and verbal communication skills; 
  • Fosters collaboration and teamwork; 
  • Engages students with the real-world.   

The FPS Curriculum is based upon a Six-Step Creative Problem Solving Model which can be applied to any topic, in any situation.  Students use primary and secondary resources, conduct research on selected topics, and then apply their knowledge and ideas to the problem-solving model, culminating in an Action Plan detailing the implementation of a solution to the problem identified.  

Students increase their global awareness and explore content related to three strands each year:  business & economics, science & technology, and society & politics.  The topics from each strand change each year, so students are exposed to a variety of topics.  

Through the study of a series of four current topics, chosen from the topic strands and projected into the future, the student will focus on what is happening in the world today (research) and what might happen in the future (foresight).

To enhance the FPS Program, Fortier pairs each new FPS topic with a companion PLTW Launch module. During the 2021-22 school year, students explored the topics Water Supply, Insects, Building Green, and Mining. Upcoming topics for the 2022-23 school year are:  E-Waste, Digital Realities, Robotic Workforce, and Throw Away Society. 

Prior to COVID, students competed in teams among the class as well as other programs throughout the state at home and at the state competition. We have also had students from our school represent the state of Mississippi at the International Conference (previously in Wisconsin and Massachusetts), competing against students not only from other U.S. states and territories, but also from other countries around the world. It's an exciting event in which we are proud to participate.

Read more about Future Problem Solving International here.