Future City Competition Challenges Students To Fix Water Runoff Caused By Sandy-Style Disasters
SOUTHFIELD -- In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, officials and environmentalists were concerned about the pollution and damage the stormwater runoff would cause to the states surrounding the Chesapeake Bay. In an effort to avoid such problems in the future, participants in the Michigan Regional Future City Competition were challenged this year to design clean solutions to manage stormwater pollution.
More than 25 schools and 600-plus students accepted the challenge. On Monday, Jan. 28, they will come together to showcase their models, defend their designs and compete for a chance to win the title of "Best City of the Future."
The Michigan Regional Future City Competition, organized by the Engineering Society of Detroit, is part of a nationwide competition that challenges 6th, 7th and 8th grades students to envision a city 150-plus years into the future in which they would like to live. This year's theme challenged students to "Rethink Runoff: Design clean solutions to manage stormwater pollution."
From Detroit and Farmington Hills to Grand Blanc and Ypsilanti, students have been working diligently since September along with their teachers and volunteer engineer mentors to design future cities that incorporates the theme along with sound science and engineering principles. Students develop a computer model, write an essay, build a physical model, and then present their creation to professional judges during a daylong competition.
The winning team from the Michigan regional competition will go to Washington, D.C., in February to participate in the national competition with teams from throughout the country.
For more information about Future City or Engineering SMArT Detroit, contact Della Cassia at (248) 353-0735, ext. 112 or visit www.esd.org. This event at the Suburban Collection Showplace is open to the public.
Founded in 1895, ESD is a multi-disciplinary society uniting engineering, scientific and allied professions to enhance professional development and foster excitement in math and science to produce our next generation of leaders.
