The Founding of ICPS
The Institute for Creative Problem Solving was founded in 1992 to provide a pathway for high-achieving students to further enhance their mathematical and creative thinking skills. Since its inception, more than 3,000 students in grades 5-10 have benefited from the Institute — of whom, approximately 70% are underrepresented minorities and/or women.
Founder Jong Pil Lee, PhD, wanted to create opportunities for bright, driven students to reach beyond the traditional school curriculum and realize their full potential. He was inspired by a report titled "National Excellence: The Case for Developing America's Talents" on the status of the education of the nation's brightest young minds. The report described the crisis of brilliant students being underserved in American education. In particular, it focused on the lack of participation of women and other minority groups in mathematics and science programs. Another publication, "An Agenda for Action" by the National Council of Supervisors of Mathematics, placed problem solving at the top of its list of the ten basic skills of mathematics.
"If America wants to maintain leadership in technology, we have to improve math education," said Lee upon receiving the 2005 Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring. "We've got to wake up and train the best students."
Lee, who passed away in 2011, accepted this prestegious award alongside his wife and
two daughters. His daughter Karen (pictured right) is currently on the ICPS advisory
board.
The Institute Comes to SBU
In 2025, the Institute for Creative Problem Solving found a new home at Stony Brook University. Ranked as New York's #1 public institution by US News & World Report since 2023, Stony Brook is the perfect fit for ICPS.
Many graduates of the Institute have gone on to attend Stony Brook for college, and participants will now have the opportunity to spend time on campus throughout the duration of the program.
