Inside the Future City Middle School Info Session: What Educators and Students Need to Know
Future City Middle School kicked off its new season with a live info session, and if you missed it (or just want the highlights without scrubbing through a recording), here’s your recap. The program’s manager walked attendees through this year’s theme, team structure, deliverables, resources, and a lively Q&A. Here’s everything you need to know to get a team registered and off the ground.
You can find the slide deck here!
What Is Future City Middle School?
Future City is a hands-on experience where students become the engineers. It’s built around one simple question: how can we all work to make the world a better place? Along the way, students sharpen their math, writing, and science skills – alongside teamwork and self-confidence.
Each year, students design a city 100 years in the future, built around a different challenge. This year’s theme is Fire Resilient Future – students will design a resilient city that can prevent, protect, and recover from urban wildfires.
The program has grown year over year — last year it reached over 98,000 students worldwide. It’s intentionally cross-curricular and accessible: you don’t need a STEM background to lead or mentor a team.
Team Structure
- Minimum of 3 students, grades 6–8 (no maximum – some teams have 20–30 students)
- One educator per team
- One mentor (optional, but incredibly valuable)
- Mentors must register and complete a mandatory background check (about 5 minutes) by January 5, 2027; only one mentor per team
- Teams select three presenting students, who must stay the same from the regional competition through finals
The Deliverables
Four key deliverables make up the competition:
- Essay — 1,500 words, guided by the suggested outline and rubric in the handbook. Word count excludes titles and the reference list but includes captions or text within graphics.
- Model — Built using mostly recycled materials, with at least one moving part. Budget is capped at $100 (not including the wooden base) for any donated or previously-used items assigned a fair market value (think Facebook Marketplace or eBay pricing); true recyclables like cans, paper, and bottles don’t count against the budget.
- Presentation — Up to 7 minutes presenting, followed by 8 minutes of Q&A with judges (unused presentation time rolls into Q&A). Practicing in front of mentors, teachers, and parents — and recording it to review — helps a lot.
- Project Plan — Four parts: goal setting and scheduling (due mid-December), and check-ins and reflection (due about a week before the regional competition).
Timeline
- Now: Brainstorm and research the theme with your team
- October: Start designing your city and putting ideas down
- November: Begin building your model
- January: Present at your regional competition
- September 30: Theme webinar with expert panelists
- October 31: Educator registration deadline for full competition
- December: Essay judging begins
- January: Regional competitions
- February 13–17, 2027: Finals competition in Washington, DC
Program Resources
Registered educators get access to a full toolkit in the Future City dashboard:
- The program handbook (rules, rubrics, checklists, and guidance — worth reading closely, especially the rubrics)
- Theme webinar (September 30) with expert panelists sharing real-world insight
- Monthly educator calls — casual, no set agenda (next up: September 17, then October 15 and November 10)
- Mentor support calls for new and experienced mentors
- Sample team videos and model photos from previous years
- Research strategies, essay samples, case studies, and brainstorming tips
- Practical tools: competition expense forms, media waivers, honor statements, and deliverable upload instructions
- 41 regional coordinators across the program, each a go-to resource for local logistics, deadlines, and venue details — find yours at futurecity.org/regions
Why It Matters: Student Outcomes
Future City is about more than building a model city — it builds transferable skills in technical writing, public speaking, teamwork, time management, and the engineering design process. Students who might not think of themselves as “STEM kids” often find their footing here, since the program is designed to be cross-curricular from the ground up.
Awards
Special awards vary by region — check with your regional coordinator to see what’s offered locally. At finals, teams also compete for cash prizes for their organization’s STEM program:
| Placement | Cash Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | $10,000 |
| 2nd | $6,000 |
| 3rd | $2,500 |
| 4th | $1,000 |
| 5th | $1,000 |
Participation Levels & Cost
- Resource Only — Free: Full access to program materials (handbook, rubrics, theme info, and more) for self-guided teams. No deliverable submission or competition.
- Full Competition — $25/organization: Complete access, plus eligibility to submit all deliverables, compete at the regional level, and be considered for prizes and special awards.
- One registration fee covers an entire organization
- You can switch from Resource Only to Full Competition at any time by emailing futurecity@discovere.org.
- Payment can be made by credit card at registration or by invoice later in the season.
Next Steps for Educators and Students
- Choose a participation level and register your team
- Recruit your students (minimum of 3, grades 6–8)
- Dive into the handbook early, especially the rubrics
- Join the optional monthly educator calls
- Watch past finals presentations in the dashboard to help your students visualize the deliverables
- Attend (or watch the recording of) the September 30 theme webinar with your students
Key Takeaways
- Theme: Fire Resilient Future — design a city that can prevent, protect, and recover from wildfires
- Team: Minimum 3 students (grades 6–8), one educator, one optional mentor
- Core deliverables: a 1,500-word essay, a recycled-material model with a moving part, a live presentation, and a project plan
- Educator registration deadline: October 31 (for full competition)
- Finals: Top teams present in Washington, DC, February 13–17, 2027
Additional Resource
Share this 1-page flyer with interested parties to learn more about the Future City program.
Questions?
Reach out to FutureCity@DiscoverE.org or find your regional coordinator’s contact info at futurecity.org/regions. Watch for the recording and slide deck if you missed the live session.