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Future City Competition® Opens Registration

The Future City Competition® has officially opened registrations for the upcoming 2025-26 season, inviting students from around the globe to tackle a pressing issue: How can we feed the world a century from today, while conserving vital resources? This challenge has attracted over 85,000 middle and high school participants worldwide, highlighting the importance of innovative solutions in addressing food sustainability.

The theme for this year's competition is "Farm to Table," where students are urged to envision a city 100 years in the future that effectively minimizes food waste throughout the entire supply chain—from agricultural practices to the production processes and ultimately, to consumer behavior. The challenge encourages attendees to think creatively about futuristic agricultural practices and innovative food systems that can alleviate current global issues related to food scarcity and wastage.

Why Join the Future City Competition?

This initiative is more than just a competition; it serves as a compelling educational experience for participants in grades 6 through 12, enabling them to step into the roles of engineers, problem-solvers, and innovators. Under the mentorship of educators and STEM professionals, participants will bring their futuristic vision to life through several key activities:

• - Essay Writing: A detailed explanation of their city's sustainable vision.
• - Model Construction: Building a tangible representation of their design.
• - Professional Presentation: Presenting their concepts before a panel of experts in STEM fields.

The Future City journey emphasizes not only career exploration and teamwork but also the confidence needed in STEM fields to confront real-world sustainability challenges.

The top competing teams will advance to the Finals scheduled for February in Washington, D.C., where they will showcase their projects to a group of STEM professionals. Finalists stand a chance to win substantial scholarships and cash prizes, with awards amounting to up to $200,000.

Kathy Renzetti, the Executive Director at DiscoverE, remarked, "Every year, Future City students amaze us with their creativity, imagination, and determination. The 'Farm to Table' theme is particularly compelling, as food waste and sustainability are pressing issues we must address now. By asking students to envision solutions a century ahead, we empower them to think boldly, collaborate effectively, and see themselves as the engineers who will shape a brighter future."

A Call for Educators, Coaches, and Leaders

Whether you lead a classroom, an after-school initiative, or a youth organization, our competition provides an excellent opportunity to engage students in critical thinking, teamwork, and career exploration. Regional competitions are held across the country, and successful teams can advance to the Future City Finals in Washington, D.C., in February 2026.

Get Involved

1. Register a Team: Middle or high school teams can sign up at the official Future City website.
2. Follow Along: Stay connected through Facebook and Instagram for tips and updates.
3. Volunteer: Engineers and STEM professionals are encouraged to lend their expertise as mentors, judges, or regional volunteers, helping to develop the next generation of innovators.

About DiscoverE

DiscoverE is a global nonprofit dedicated to inspiring and empowering aspiring engineers through various accessible STEM programs. Their initiatives like Engineers Week™, Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day™, and the Future City® Competition promote problem-solving, creativity, and the essential role of engineering in crafting a sustainable future. To learn more about DiscoverE, please visit their website at discovere.org.