We're excited to see you at IC 2023!

Dear International Conference attendees (parents, coaches, chaperones, directors, staff, and volunteers):

More news about International Conference 2023! The countdown continues - we are now ~2 weeks until the Opening Ceremony of the 2023 International Conference. The FPS office is in full swing (which is why this newsletter is a day late, our apologies!)

The newsletters may contain action items, informational items, and reminders - this edition contains information and reminders!

Information (listed here, details later in the newsletter):

• Parking at UMass
• Pre-IC session recordings
• Community Problem Solving (CmPS) news
• Packing ideas

Reminders from prior news:

• Scenario Performance sub-themes
• Whova - the official International Conference app
• Pictures & Yearbooks
• Important dates coming soon

Cheers,

The FPSPI Staff

(April, Debbie, Damien, Frances, Allison, Kyla, and Caitlin)

Parking at UMass Amherst

Surface Lot Parking for Residence Hall Guests

If you bring a vehicle to campus and are staying in a residence hall, you may obtain a pass for free surface lot parking when you check into your housing assignment. Your pass is valid only for the parking lot shown on the pass. To use these permits attendees must print their vehicle state and license plate number in the areas indicated on the pass. The permit must be completely filled out in ink before it can be displayed. Please display this pass on your vehicle’s dashboard in front of the steering wheel. The permit must be completely visible to be valid. If the permit is altered in any way it becomes invalid. This pass is subject to full Parking Rules and Regulations.

Lots are assigned based on housing location as follows:

Standard Housing (Southwest):  Lot 22

Premium Housing (Commonwealth):  Lot 25*

Staff Housing (North Apartments):  Lot 44

*Those staying in the Commonwealth Honors Residential Community may drive onto Hicks Way and quickly unload vehicles next to Birch Hall before parking in Lot 25

Campus Center Parking Garage

Parking is available in the Campus Center Parking Garage, located at 1 Campus Center Way, Amherst MA 01003. Once you go through the entry gate you will be on Level 3 of the garage. If you are attending an event in the Campus Center, we recommend following the Hotel UMass/Campus Center signs to park down on Level 2, where there is a flat walkway into the Campus Center. If you are attending an event in the Student Union, or any other location on campus, we recommend parking on Levels 3, 4, or 5. There are pedestrian exits in each corner of the garage on Level 3. Pay stations are located on Levels 2, 3, and 4 (cash is only accepted on Level 2). The exit gate is on Level 4.

Mullins Event Parking

During the Future Problem Solvers programmed events in the Mullins Center (Opening Ceremony and Awards Ceremony), participants may park in available spaces behind the arena in Lot 67 at no charge.

Handicap Parking

The University of Massachusetts Amherst provides ADA accessible parking. Vehicles that display a state-issued license plate or disabled placard may park in any marked Handicap Space, any non-restricted and unreserved space, or metered space at no charge as long as your plate or placard is clearly displayed at all times. All vehicles, regardless of disabled plates or placards, must pay when using the Campus Center Parking Garage. To locate reserved accessible parking, visit the UMass Parking Map and search for “Handicapped Spaces" in the box in the upper left side of the page. Accessible spaces are marked with an "H" in a blue circle. In the Campus Center Parking Garage, reserved accessible spaces are located on level 2, close to the Campus Center entrance.

Pre-IC Sessions

Thank you Martha Barlow for these excellent sessions! The information, activities, and ideas shared during these recordings are great to use with students to prepare for the International Conference, but they can also be used during the rest of the year for the 4 core topics as well.

Below are links to the recordings and materials for all three pre-IC sessions.

Topic: Building Topic Knowledge Using the RRR and Beyond

Link to recording

Link to materials: slides + worksheet

Topic: Enhancing a Future Perspective and Showing Research in Booklet Writing

Link to recording

Link to materials (via zip folder)

Topic: Developing Underlying Problem Ideas While Preparing for Competition

Link to recording

Link to materials (via zip folder)

Wondering what to pack for International Conference?

What should I bring? Below are some ideas shared from past attendees:

Casual & comfortable clothing

Clothing that is easily layered

One "nice" outfit for Saturday evening dance/coach social

Sweater / light jacket / umbrella (weather in June in Massachusetts can vary)

Pajamas

Comfortable walking shoes (you WILL get your steps in on a college campus)

Personal toiletries - soap, shampoo, toothbrush, deodorant, sunscreen, etc (standard housing may want shower shoes or flip flops, and a shower caddy to carry it all)

Cell phone and charger

Alarm clock (likely on your phone - but don't be late to competition!)

Paper and pencils

Laptop with full battery (if choosing this competition option!)

Dictionary and/or thesaurus, non-programmable calculator for GIPS competitors

Cards or Board games

Mementos for the exchange (pin trading, small flags from country/area, trinkets that represent where you are from)

Costumes or musical instruments for Variety Show

Refillable water bottle

CmPS News

A few reminders for our Community Problem Solvers.

• Projects may submit either an electronic or physical Portfolio. Electronic Portfolios must be submitted as a PDF to cmps@fpspi.org by Tuesday, June 6, noon EDT. Page limits and other Portfolio details are available for review.
• Interview times will be included in check-in materials. Check out this Interview information.
• Display setup will be on Thursday afternoon. Please review additional Display information.
• Coaches: be on the lookout for an email from Whova about sharing project info with the IC community.

Reminders from prior newsletters

Scenario Performers should consider their approach to Currency using the included subtopics. For information about competition sub-themes and guidelines Click Here.

Whova will be go live at the beginning of the conference.

This app will enable on-site participants to engage with one another as well as access IC events, schedules, and workshops.

Whova will allow you to:

• Get up-to-date event information

• Personalize your agenda

• See information about workshops and sessions

• View the Community Problem Solving Showcase of projects

• Learn about all of our awesome sponsors

• Communicate and share ideas in the FPS Community

• View tons of exciting photos and videos

Whova is available on the app store and accessible on the web.

Pictures & Yearbooks from IC 2023!

Premier Portraits will once again be the official photographer for the FPSPI International Conference. Schedule your individual and team photos as soon as possible to avoid delays. Remember, Premier Portraits will also be creating an IC Yearbook! Click Here For the Order Form and Pricing

Important Dates

• May 31 - 1 week until IC newsletter (campus maps, last-minute reminders about travel, check-in, etc.)

• June 7-11 International Conference