2025-2026 Minnesota Future Problem Solving Calendar and Costs
Welcome to an exciting new year of Learning How to Think Not What to Think!
Remaining dates on the calendar are noted below; if you want to see the entire calendar, use the button at the top or the bottom to download the PDF.
Workshops – Summer/Fall 2025 Registrations open July 1, 2025
| Event | Training Dates Times/Via Zoom | Registration Deadline | Fees |
| New Coach Training 6-Step Process | September 24 & 25 9:00 – 3:30 each day | September 17 Workshop Registration | $200.00 |
| Community Projects Coach Training | September 27 9:00 – 3:00 | September 19 Workshop Registration | $125.00 |
| Community Projects Student Training | September 27 9:00 – 3:00 | September 19 Workshop Registration | $25.00 per Student |
| Community Projects Parent Training | September 27 9:00 – 3:00 | September 19 Workshop Registration | $15.00 per Parent |
| Storytelling Coach Training | October 4 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. | September 26 Workshop Registration | $95.00 |
| Creative Writing Coach Training | October 4 Noon – 2:00 p.m. | September 26 Workshop Registration | $95.00 |
| Evaluator Training | As needed. Contact Cheryl@mnfpsp.org | No Charge for Evaluators | $75.00 for coaches |
District/Community Registration – Annual Fee – Registration Period: September 1–October 10, 2025
| Description | Registration Deadline | Fee |
| Returning Public Schools | October 10, 2025 | $135.00 |
| New Public Schools | October 10, 2025 | $90.00 |
| Parochial/Private Schools | October 10, 2025 | $75.00 |
| Home School Groups, Clubs, Other Community Groups | October 10, 2025 | $50.00 |
To submit your District / Community Registration, go to: District / Community Registration Form 2025–26
MN FPSP State Board Meetings – Check the MN FPSP website calendar for more info
October 25, 2025 | Board Meeting | 9:00 a.m. to Noon via Zoom |
| February 16–21, 2026, Google Docs | Winter Meeting; Feb. 21 on Zoom | 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 via Zoom |
| June 20, 2026 | Annual Reorganization Meeting | 9:00 a.m. to Noon via Zoom |
Register HERE for any of the Programs/Components.
GLOBAL ISSUES – (Teams and Individuals)
Watch for Registration Information in the Fall Newsletter.
| Event | Important Dates | Other Info |
| Team & Individual Registrations – Cost covers Problems 1 & 2, and Qualifying Problem REGISTER HERE | Due: October 16, 2025 | $160.00 per Team $50.00 per Individual $50.00 Per AbPS Team |
| Problem #1 Topic: Invasive Species (Optional, but highly recommended) | Due: October 16, 2025 Due by 5:00 p.m. | Submit Steps 1-3 Via Google Docs (No Extra Charge) |
| Problem #1 Evaluations Released | October 21, 2025 | Access Results – Via Shared Google Folder |
| Problem #2 Topic: Space Exploration (Mandatory to be eligible for Qualifying Problem) | Due: November 20, 2025 | Submit All Steps Via Google Docs (No Extra Charge) |
| Problem #2 Evaluation | November 21-22, 2025 | Virtually via Google Docs |
Problem #2 Results Released | November 24, 2025 | Access Results – Via Shared Google Folder |
| Qualifying Problem (QP) Reg of Student Names | Due: December 12, 2025 | Regional Info sent via email |
2026 QP Topic: Video Games | Written Competition Dates: January 8-15, 2026 PAP Recordings Due: Tues, January 20 Awards: January 24 | Written work done via Google Docs from “home.” Via Google Forms Virtual via YouTube Live |
| Qualifying Problem Written Evaluation PAP Judging | January 16-17, 2026 January 22 | Fully Virtual |
| Qualifying Problem Results Released Access Results via shared Google Folder | January 24, 2026* *After the Awards | Affiliate Final Invitations sent via email. |
| State/Affiliate Final Registrations Due | February 6 | $20.00 Late Fee per Reg. received after Due Date |
| State/Affiliate Final Registrations Fees Due | February 20 | $175.00 per Team $50.00 per Individual $30.00 per MAGIC Competitor |
| 2025-26 State/Affiliate Final Topic: Surveillance Onsite Celebration & Live PAP Finals and Awards | February 26 – March 5 Tuesday, March 10 Saturday, March 21 | Written Work via Google Docs PAP Recordings Due Onsite Location: St. Cloud North Junior High School |
| International Conference Topic: To be announced in March | June 10-14, 2026 $750 to $850 per person plus travel. | Indiana University Bloomington, Indiana |
| Freelance/Non-competitive Evaluations Talk to Cheryl@mnfpsp.org for more info. | Dates determined as needed. | $25.00 per evaluation. Ask about quantity rates. |
Creative Writing
| Creative Writing Registrations | Due: October 24, 2025 | $85.00 per student |
| Creative Writing Draft Review – Optional | Submissions Due: December 12, 2025 | NC |
| State Competition Submission | Due: February 20, 2026 | NC |
Storytelling
| Storytelling Registrations | Due: October 24, 2025 | $85.00 per student |
| Qualifying Recorded Submission | Due: December 12, 2025 | NC |
| Affiliate Final Recording Due | Due: February 20, 2026 | $25.00 |
Visual Arts
| Visual Arts Registrations | Due: October 24, 2025 | $85.00 per student |
| Qualifying Submission | Due: December 12, 2025 | NC |
| Affiliate Final | Art photos due: February 20, 2026 Onsite presentations: March 21, 2026 | $25.00 |
Community Projects
| Team Registrations | Due: October 24, 2025 | $190.00 per Team |
| Individual Registrations | Due: October 24, 2025 | $85.00 per Individual |
| Project Proposal | Due: December 11, 2025 | NC |
| Affiliate Submissions | Due: March 1, 2026 | NC |
| Interviews – Virtually | March 10 – 12, 2026 | NC |
| Affiliate Display Judging | March 21, 2026 (Onsite) | NC |
| IC Submissions Due | TBD | Fees – TBD |
Please note: There will be a $20.00 per team or individual fee assessed for each late registration and/or late payment. The due date reflects the date that the check must be in the FPS Office. Teams that have not paid registration and outstanding late fees by the date of competition will not be evaluated and will, therefore, not be eligible to advance to the next level of competition.
Minnesota FPS offers Adult Global Issues and Community Project Team Competitions.
Adult teams may consist of Alumni, Coaches, retired Coaches, Parents, and/or Evaluators.
A Qualifying Problem Global Issues Booklet Submission is required to qualify for Global Issues State Competition. The cost is $75.00.
Community Project Teams must follow the Community Projects Calendar for Students. The cost is $75.00 per team.
FPSPI no longer offers any Adult Competitions.
The top Global Issues and Community Projects teams, as well as the top individuals in Creative Writing and Storytelling will be invited to the International Competition.
Contact Cheryl at: Cheryl@mnfpsp.org for more information and to register.
*** All teams, including the adult teams, are required to compete in the Presentation of Action Plan at the Qualifying Problem and Affiliate Competitions in order for their written work to qualify to advance. This is in alignment with the International Rules. Accommodations cannot be made for other activities.
Download 2025-2026 Calendar