Established and run by students at our school since the academic year 2024–2025, the FPSPI Club is part of the International Future Problem Solving programme, which attracts participants from 14 countries worldwide and over 30 states in the USA; enables young people to develop future-oriented plans and projects based on the realities of today’s world, to learn how to think critically, to conduct in-depth research on any subject they are working on, to think futuristically, and to develop skills such as leadership, creativity and time management.

Through interdisciplinary work carried out under the theme “Learn the power of communication, stay connected with the world.” in our institutional project, the aim is to strengthen students’ communication skills by developing their critical thinking abilities. In this context, FPSPI is not merely a competition or an ordinary programme; it is a long-term journey aimed at fostering thinking, research, questioning, producing tangible outcomes, and changing the world.

On this journey, our team—comprising students from the club—continued their work with great dedication this year, following last year’s achievement of second place in Turkey and the pride of representing our country at the FPS International Conference. Seventeen of our students successfully represented our school at the FPSPI Turkey Qualifiers, held in Selçuk, Izmir, from 17–19 April 2026.

An article written by our student Zeynep E. on the work carried out throughout the year:

FPS International Conference

At the start of the year, our 20-member club was divided into two distinct groups, taking into account the students’ interests, talents and needs. While one team (CmPS – solving social problems) focused on the lack of social opportunities faced by children with limited financial means, the other team (GIPS – solving global problems) addressed global issues such as constant surveillance, space exploration, invasive species and the future of the video games industry.

Throughout the year, during club hours and additional study sessions agreed upon by the team, all team members followed an intensive work schedule. During this process, with the guidance of their team coaches, Zeynep E. and Maya K., they gained a deeper understanding of the FPSPI programme and its objectives, and derived significant benefit from the programme. By carrying out their work both collaboratively when necessary and individually when required, they not only fulfilled their responsibilities but also gained a better understanding of the importance of being a good team.

Steps Taken Towards Solving Global Problems

Our GIPS team began the year by learning research methods. Throughout the year, they conducted detailed research on various topics they worked on, acquiring the necessary skills to examine the relevant issues. Subsequently, by thoroughly analysing the future scenarios provided to them, they first identified all potential problems. They then examined the most fundamental problems identified across different categories to create comprehensive action plans.

In addition, by participating in presentation techniques and creative drama workshops, they learnt to present their action plans in diverse and effective ways; whilst also having the opportunity to strengthen their futuristic thinking skills, creativity, public speaking abilities and self-confidence. At the same time, whilst continuing their work, they developed their written and oral skills in all three languages—French and Turkish, which are our school’s core languages of instruction, as well as English, which they studied intensively as a compulsory subject.

A Major Project to Address Social Issues: Tomorrows Empowered by Art

Our CmPS team played an active role in our ‘Tomorrows Empowered by Art’ project, working on its planning, implementation, organisation and development. Our project aimed to provide primary school children with limited access to sporting and artistic activities with these opportunities, to impart knowledge and experience in these fields to them, to bring them together with experienced experts in these areas so they could draw inspiration from them, and to open a door for them to discover their talents. Firstly, our team reviewed research published by sources such as Harvard University, the OECD and UNICEF; based on the information and data gathered from these sources, they drew up a roadmap. They then submitted this plan to FPSPI as a project proposal and, following its approval, set to work.

To implement the project, we reached out to potential partner organisations, made the necessary arrangements, completed preparations, and went out into the field. At Mürüvvet Hanım Primary School, with the support and cooperation of our dear Year 1 Class E pupils and their teacher, the esteemed Mert Halis Gültekin, workshops were held in areas such as music, art, ceramics and sport. Subsequently, a detailed report on the project’s progress and future plans was compiled and submitted to FPSPI. Following the positive feedback received on the report, our team qualified for the final interview stage of the project and rolled up their sleeves to complete the final steps required to compete in the national finals.

Three Thrilling Days in Kuşadası for the National Finals…

After both our teams had completed their preparations with the utmost care, they set off for Kuşadası to compete in the FPSPI national finals and reap the rewards of their hard work. Over the three days spent in Kuşadası, our club took pride in representing our school in the competitions and all the events, whilst also creating memories they will cherish for the rest of their lives.

The GIPS Team, following a 2-hour session where they were given a scenario regarding the future strategies of video game companies, produced a comprehensive 7-step analysis and successfully presented a detailed action plan based on this analysis. In doing all this, our team members utilised the knowledge and experience they had gained throughout the year, thereby enhancing their individual skills whilst maximising team synergy.

The CmPS Team, meanwhile, prepared a stand showcasing all the data, research, photographs, survey results, examples of activities conducted throughout the project, achievements attained, and future plans for the “Tomorrows Empowered by Art” project. They then successfully completed the final stage—their interviews—by presenting their projects to the FPSPI jury.

Our team, which handled the demanding pace of work—the most gruelling aspect of the competition—with great composure and success; also, on the Saturday afternoon whilst eagerly awaiting the results of the evaluations at the awards ceremony to be held on Sunday morning after the competitions had finished, met peers from all corners of Turkey, inspiring one another and laying the foundations for beautiful friendships and connections. Furthermore, the team members strengthened their bonds through the time spent together. As a result, the project evolved into a powerful experience not only academically but also socially.

Following the awards ceremony held on Sunday, all our club members returned to Istanbul from the International Future Problem Solving Programme Turkey Finals—which saw the participation of approximately 50 schools—filled with joy because of the achievements, but most importantly, because of the experiences gained and the wonderful memories made.

We hope that the successes achieved over the past two years will continue in future seasons.

Now let’s read some comments from students in the club…

“Thanks to this competition, we’ve developed a great deal both as a team and individually. This process gave us the chance to get to know one another and helped us build unforgettable memories and strong friendships. We learnt to stand by one another in both good times and bad, and strengthened our team spirit. We have become more sensitive to current and future issues. Furthermore, touching the lives of many children through our projects and seeing their smiling faces has made us all very happy. ‘’

-Maya K. 10/I (Team Coach – CmPS Team Member)

“It was a very special process where we both developed ourselves and felt the power of being a team. “Through this competition, we gained new experiences whilst also strengthening our bonds with our teammates.”

– Mert Ş. 10/H (CmPS Team Member)

“It was a competition where we worked in a planned manner as a team, learnt what it means to be a team, and gained some wonderful experiences. Everything was brilliant”

-Leo T. 9/B (CmPS Team Member)

“We worked very hard throughout the competition and sometimes felt tired, but everyone in the team supported each other so much that we managed to overcome everything somehow. Watching different ideas come together and turn into something tangible, and learning new things during this process, was truly exciting. It was an unforgettable experience for me, where we had a lot of fun and truly felt the spirit of a real team right to the end.”

– Yiğit E. 10/B (GIPS Team Member)

We would like to thank our student Zeynep E. for the article.

This post is also available in: