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Judges Needed for Future City® Competition

DiscoverE, an organization dedicated to nurturing the next generation of engineers, is on the lookout for volunteers to judge the 33rd Annual Future City® Competition. This is a unique opportunity for engineering and technical professionals, as well as anyone interested in shaping the future of our students, to step into a role that can truly make a difference. You can participate either in person or virtually, with judging opportunities scheduled for January local regional events or the global finals in Washington, DC, taking place in February.

The Future City® Competition isn’t just an event; it’s a platform where innovation meets real-world challenges. For this year’s competition, students are tasked with designing floating cities to tackle pressing issues like rising sea levels and climate change. By participating, judges will experience firsthand the ingenuity and creativity of these students as they navigate complex engineering problems.

Over 67,000 students from more than 1,800 schools across 37 regions in the United States, along with teams from Canada and China, will be involved in this major initiative. The grand finals are scheduled for February 17-20, 2025, during Engineers Week. Middle school participants stand a chance to win $7,500 for their school’s STEM program, sponsored by Bentley Systems, along with a priceless STEM experience. For the first time, high school students will also participate, competing for valuable college scholarships.

Kathy Renzetti, Executive Director and CEO of DiscoverE, expressed excitement about the expansion of the competition. “We’re thrilled to include high school students this year, providing even more youth with the opportunity to think and innovate like real engineers,” she explained. As a judge, you will play an integral role in encouraging these young minds, witnessing their growth in essential skills such as teamwork, communication, and critical thinking in the process.

Responsibilities of a Judge

Judges are crucial in evaluating various components of student projects to select winners at both regional and national levels. Expect to:

• - Review and assess student essays, project plans, and scale models.
• - Evaluate students’ understanding of engineering principles and their application to real-world issues.
• - Provide constructive feedback and encouragement to foster enthusiasm for STEM.
• - Participate either in-person or virtually, in line with your preferences.

The Value of Volunteering

Volunteering as a judge for the Future City Competition is not just about evaluating projects; it’s about making a rewarding impact on young students’ careers. Here’s why you might consider joining:

• - Significantly influence the lives of students eager to pursue STEM fields.
• - Contribute to shaping the future of the engineering workforce.
• - Network with fellow engineers, educators, and STEM professionals.
• - Gain new perspectives from students as they tackle innovative solutions.

Join the Movement

If you’re an engineer, educator, or leader within the STEM community who aims to inspire the future, DiscoverE invites you to volunteer as a judge. You can learn more about the competition and sign up to be a judge at futurecity.org. This is a perfect chance to engage with innovative young minds and contribute to a promising tomorrow.

Major funding for DiscoverE’s initiatives, including the Future City Competition, is generously provided by various organizations, including Bechtel Corporation, Overdeck Family Foundation, Bentley Systems Inc., and others.

For more information about DiscoverE and its mission to empower underrepresented youth through STEM education, visit discovere.org.