Designed to sustain oral storytelling traditions, Storytelling is ideally suited to students who prefer to showcase their creativity through verbal communication.

Storytelling encourages students to enlarge ideas, enrich personal style, and bring to life potential images of the future.

Storytelling students choose one of three FPS annual topics to make a prediction of the future (20-30 years from now) and perform as though the future were the present. Futuristic concepts and trends are incorporated into the story, but a specific date is not required. 

The story is not written out in full; it is 'told', and should be more 'natural' and 'spontaneous' in nature. Whether presented for the camera or in front of a live audience, stories should be creative and entertaining.

Storytelling emphasise the story itself and the characters within the story. Well-developed, engaging characters, intriguing plot lines, and captivating settings make for exemplary stories. The ability to sing, dance, or act is more appropriately employed in the theatre or drama club than in Storytelling. 

Schools register individual students in one of the following divisions – Junior (Years 5 and 6), Middle (Years 7 to 9) and Senior (Years 10 to 12).

Registration entitles an individual student to two evaluations. The first trial Storytelling is submitted in May and is non-competitive. The story is evaluated using an authentic rubric-based process, providing students with direct feedback on use of voice and audience awareness, among other elements, providing tools for continuous growth. 

The second story, due in August, is competitive and may be a revision of the first story or an entirely new story.  Invitations to the National Finals are based on the students story in the competitive submission. 

Prior to submission, coaches may make general suggestions for improvement. However, each story must be original and produced by the student.

Invitations to the National Finals are based on the students story in the competitive submission.   

The results of the 2026 Storytelling Competition and Invitations to the 2027 International Conference will be determined by using the results from the performance at the 2026 National Finals.  

The number of Storytelling invitations awarded to the 2027 International Conference is determined by Future Problem Solving Program International. 

• Storytelling Handbook
• Two assessment rounds
• Fortnightly coach catch up – via zoom
• Access to our friendly support team 9am - 5pm AEST, Monday to Friday

For the cost of a single individual or team registration, teachers gain access to the program material and can teach the program to as many students as they wish. (However, booklets can only be evaluated if a team/individual has been registered.)

Additional registrations can be added throughout the year.

• Attend coach training
• Register your school's participation
• Purchase recommended publications
• Plan your FPS year

Storytelling skills aligned with Education Standards