Students

Future City is open to kids in grades 6, 7, and 8 (as well as 4th and 5th in our Junior Competition) who are from the same school, a home school environment or are members of a nationally, regionally, or state-recognized youth-focused organization, such as the Boy and Girl Scouts, Boys and Girls Clubs, or 4-H.

Educators

Program leaders are called Educators and guide the team members through this project-based learning experience, helping them tackle a relevant citywide sustainability issue as they imagine, research, brainstorm, design, and build cities of the future.

The work is entirely student-led, but the program leader keeps the team on track, uploads deliverables, and offers feedback and guidance

Time Commitment: About 35-45 hours throughout September – February

VOLUNTEER ROLES AVALIABLE

Mentors

[October - January]
The time commitment for mentoring varies - some volunteers spend 10-15 hours and some 30-40 hours.
Consider drafting a colleague (or two) and team-mentoring.

The engineer-mentor is a member of the Team. As a mentor you will coordinate with the teacher/coach and provide advice, guidance, and technical assistance as the students work on the various project components.

Some teams work on the program during class, but many work after-school. Teachers can make special arrangements for mentors to work with the students. See Mentor Q&A document for additional information.

Contact the Regional Coordinator to sign up.

Volunteer Roles

Volunteers are an integral part of our competition. Volunteer judges score team deliverables for the Future City Competition. Below is a description of each role available.

Sign up for one or more than one - you determine your level of commitment.

Note - there are separate sign-ups for each competition. Judges will have the option to select which role in each competition they interested in.

Virtual Judges

[December- January]
The time commitment starts at 5 hours.

Virtual judges read and score essays submitted by the students at your computer.

Virtual judges may choose to score Middle School Essays (1500 words) or Junior Essays (1000 word). .

Typically around 10 essays are assigned to be scored over a period of at least 3 weeks. Judges may request additional essays once initial assignment is completed.

Note: Virtual Judges are not required to have a STEM background or live in the North Texas Region.

Competition Day General Volunteers

[Competition Day]
The time commitment varies.

Competition Day General Volunteers attend competition day in person in Fort Worth, Texas. General volunteers ensure that the competition runs smoothly by helping the coordinating team through various roles.

Roles available:

• Set up/ Take down

• Room Monitors

• Score Runners

• Hallway Monitors

Note: General volunteers are not required to have a STEM background. High School and university students are encouraged to sign up.

Middle School Competition Day Judges

[Competition Day - AM]
The time commitment 4 hours.

Middle School Competition Day Judges attend competition day in person in Fort Worth, Texas. A group of 3-4 Competition Day Judges work together as they asses overall city design, physical models and team presentations. At the end of each presentation, judges have the opportunity to challenge the students through a session of Q&A. Middle School Competition Day Judges have the most interaction with students.

Rubrics and training is provided.

Note: Middle School Competition Day Judges must have a STEM background. Junior Competition Day Judges may sign up to be Middle School Competition Day Judges.

Junior Competition Day Judges

[Competition Day - Afternoon]
The time commitment 3 hours.

Junior Competition Day Judges attend competition day in person in Fort Worth, Texas. A group of 2-3 Junior Competition Day Judges interact with students through 5 minute Q&A sessions to asses overall city design and physical models.

Rubrics and training is provided.

Note: Junior Competition Day Judges must have a STEM background. Middle School Competition Day Judges may sign up to be Junior Competition Day Judges.