WISCONSIN FUTURE PROBLEM SOLVING
DIVISIONS OF PARTICIPATION
Global Issues PS, Community Projects, Creative Writing, Storytelling
JUNIOR DIVISION
Grades 4-6
MIDDLE DIVISION
Grades 7-9
SENIOR
DIVISION
Grades 10-12
2024-25 TOPICS
for Global Issues, Creative Writing, and Storytelling
Food Security
Practice Problem 1
Steps 1-3 submitted
Rising Sea Levels
Practice Problem 2
Steps 1-6 submitted
Agricultural Industry
Qualifying Problem
Steps 1-6 submitted
Competitive Conditions
Nanotechnology
State Bowl Competition
Steps 1-6
Completed in Competition
Nutritious food is a basic human need. While global food production has expanded, approximately one in three people remain food insecure. Food availability – how much food exists – is the first hurdle to feeding the global population. Food security is different in every place and yet impacts every society. Infrastructure, environmental conditions, and political stability can all have significant impacts on the production of food. Environmental events such as droughts and rising sea levels also impact existing food sources. Economic, legal, and social barriers may thwart access to available food. Political conflicts, for example, interrupt supply chains and divert food away from those in need. Even when there is enough food available, and people have access to it, their food security may be threatened by the safety of the food.
Historically, human civilizations have responded to the risk of rising sea levels with retreat and adaptation. As our cities have become more permanent in modern times, defensiveness is the preferred strategy. The adequate protection of low-lying regions and coastal cities from flooding, land loss, water-logging, and groundwater salinity is costly and technologically complex. Small island nations are most vulnerable to the relocation of coastal communities. Sea level rise is already occurring around the globe at unprecedented rates. The challenges will only continue to grow in the next few decades. It is important for scientists and engineers to work directly with communities to create policies that work for the unique circumstances of each vulnerable coastline.
Agricultural industry is not only a vital component of global economies, but also a critical driver of environmental impact and social development. It encompasses a wide range of activities, from crop cultivation to livestock management. It provides food, textiles and biofuels to a growing population. While industrial agriculture has improved crop yields and increased accessibility and affordability, past and current farming practices have raised concerns related to sustainability. As the world’s largest consumer of water and land, agriculture must seek sustainable farming practices to ensure its survival. The excessive use of these resources raises questions about the long-term viability of current agricultural practices. Addressing challenges will require innovative approaches, sustainable farming practices, and lastly, an analysis of how we produce and consume food.
Nanotechnology deals with dimensions and tolerances of less than 100 nanometers. A single strand of human hair, for scale, is typically 100,000 nanometers thick! At this scale, individual atoms of larger materials can be manipulated. Placing atoms as though they were bricks, nanotechnology has the potential to give control over the structure of matter, allowing us to build powerful, yet microscopic substances. Nanotechnology is widely used in food industries, medicine, energy, automobiles, the environment, electronics, textiles, and cosmetics. Nanotechnology has direct benefits for medicine and the environment, but it may have unintended effects, like all technologies. Nanoparticles of typically unharmful materials, for example, can be toxic if inhaled. Not easily observed, nanotechnology poses risks to security and privacy.
FPS taught me most importantly to be original. FPS fosters creativity and personality, which are what people look for later on in life.
Michala Meyerhofer
Product Marketing Specialist for Heritage Tile in Verona, Wisconsin