The Future City Competition (FCC) is a project-based learning experience where students in grades 6-8 imagine, research, design, and build cities at least 100 years in the future. Schools or recognized youth organizations can form teams and have the option to compete in the state competition. Students spend approximately five months (September-January) completing the following deliverables: a 1,500-word city essay; a scale model of their city built from recycled materials; a four-part project plan; a 7-minute team presentation; and a Q&A session with judges (professional engineers who volunteer their time). The Future City Competition aligns with Minnesota Academic Standards in Science, Math, Social Studies, and English Language Arts.
Informational Zoom Sessions
Are you curious about the Minnesota Future City Competition? Want to learn what makes this national competition such a great experience for students? Contact MN Future City Coordinator, Colleen Feller, to schedule an informational Zoom session.
Registration
Registration for the 2023-2024 Future City Competition closed on October 31, 2023.
2023-2024 Theme: Electrify Your Future
Design a 100% electrically powered city with energy generated from sources that keep citizens and the environment healthy and safe. Future City students will research how electricity can be created from many power sources and in various ways. They will learn how cities store, transmit, distribute, and store energy so their citizens can turn on their lights, cool their homes with AC, and power their electric vehicles!
Project Deadlines:
| October 31, 2023 | Registration closes |
| November 10, 2023 | Project Plan Part #1 & #2 due |
| December 15, 2023 | City Essay and Project Plan #3 due |
| December 22, 2023 | Schools confirm number of teams and names of students for the MN Regional Competition |
| January 8, 2024 | Special Award selections due |
| January 17, 2024 | Project Plan #4 due |
| January 20, 2024 | City Model and Presentation due |
| January 20, 2024 | MN Regional Competition at Dakota County Technical College |
| February 17-20, 2024 | Future City Competition Nationals in Washington, D.C. |
Sponsors
We would like to thank our sponsors for their incredible support! If you would like to learn more about making a financial contribution to the Minnesota Future City Competition, please contact Colleen Feller at 612-638-1511.
Platinum Sponsors
Gold Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
American Water Works Association
Barr Engineering
City Engineers Association of Minnesota
HDR, Inc.
Minnesota Department of Health
WSB
Bronze Sponsors
Alliant Engineering, Inc. • Association for Facilities Engineering • Bolton & Menk, Inc.
Center for Transportation Studies, U of MN • Design-Build Institute of America – Upper Midwest Region
Great River Energy • HGA • Kimley-Horn • Kurita America • MN Association of County Surveyors
MN Federation of Engineering, Science, and Technology Societies • MN Society of Professional Engineers
National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying • Project Management Institute Educational Foundation
Society of American Military Engineers • SRF Consulting Group, Inc. • Stantec
2023 Minnesota Future City Competition Winners
2023 Minnesota Future City Competition Special Awards
Winning teams receive an award plaque for their school. Each student on the team receives a gift bag with small prizes and a certificate.
| Special Award | Sponsor | Winning Team |
|---|---|---|
| Most Innovative City Setting | 3M | Rosemount MS Cordellia |
| Best Infrastructure System | ASCE MN Section | Mounds Park Academy Rayon de Miel |
| Engineering Excellence | MFESTS | Mounds Park Academy Geweven |
| Safe Drinking Water | MN Dept. of Health / AWWA | Justice Page MS Lavinstad |
| Best Transportation System | SRF Consulting Group | Scott Highlands MS Nagreporma Ang Bagyo |
| Most Practical Design | MnSPE | Twin Oaks MS Santou |
| Best Industrial / Commercial Layout | AFE – Twin Cities | Valley MS of STEM Waterwalla |
| Most Innovative Power System | Emerson | Valley MS of STEM Ivylion-Topia |
| Readiness for Natural and Humanmade Disasters | SAME – Mpls-St. Paul | Rosemount MS Vatnaborg |
| Best Rail Infrastructure | HDR, Inc. | Grandview MS Ville Verte |
| Most Effective Power Grid | EATON | Justice Page MS Taone Kokoru |
| Best Land Surveying Practices | NCEES | Twin Oaks MS Santou |
| Most Innovative Constructability | DBIA-UMR | Twin Oaks MS Varia Terra |
| Outstanding Future City Project Plan | PMIEF | New Richmond MS Von Kuppel |
| Outstanding Essay | CenterPoint Energy | Mounds Park Academy Geweven |
| Outstanding City Model | CEAM | Black Hawk MS Ethos |
| Outstanding Team Presentation | CenterPoint Energy | Justice Page MS Nadee Sooraj |
| People’s Choice Award | MN FCC Steering Committee | Scott Highlands MS Delhi |
At the Future City Competition, students learn…
How to use engineering to solve real-world problems.
The skills needed for effective teamwork.
The importance of strong writing, public speaking, and creativity.
Questions?
Want to learn more about the Future City Competition and how your students can participate? Visit the Minnesota Regional page or contact Colleen Feller at 612-638-1511.
© 2023 SparkPath, Inc.
SparkPath@brightworksmn.org
(612) 638 – 1500
2 Pine Tree Drive, Suite 101
Arden Hills, MN 55112
EIN: 41-1948020
SparkPath is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that presents its programs in collaboration with BrightWorks, a Minnesota Service Cooperative. BrightWorks member districts/schools save 30-50% on SparkPath registration fees. For more information, visit www.brightworksmn.org.
