Each week since last September twenty-seven Dedham fourth and fifth graders have wrestled with complex issues that confront our society. The students, from each of Dedham’s four elementary schools, have worked as part of the international Future Problem Solving program. Teams meet weekly with a parent-coach to research and brainstorm solutions to complex world problems.
Future Problem Solving is a competitive academic program that aims to engage students in grades four through twelve in creative and critical thinking by presenting them with plausible real-world problems of the future.
This year the nine-, ten-, and eleven-year-olds tackled the sophisticated topics of social isolation resulting from technology use, desertification of land areas, and data collection through surveillance.
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Dedham teams competed against others across Massachusetts. One team comprised of four Oakdale Elementary students qualified for the State Bowl and will compete on April 5 at Babson College against the state’s top teams.
“These kids work incredibly hard. They dig into really complex problems and do an impressive level of critical thinking to find creative solutions. Their willingness to spend their time each week researching and writing and talking about these issues is commendable,” explained Monika Wilkinson, a parent-coach who established the program in Dedham.
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The program was launched in 2012 and has grown from one team to seven with plans to expand to the middle school level next year. This year the program received the support of the nonprofit Dedham Shines with generous contributions for registration fees from Selectmen Sarah MacDonald, Jim MacDonald, and Michael Butler.
Community members interested in coaching or learning more information about the program in Dedham, contact Dedham Shines at dedhamshines@gmail.com.
