ABQ Times

Students from across New Mexico are preparing to present their innovative designs at the 2024 Future City Competition. This annual event, sponsored by Sandia National Laboratories, challenges middle school students to envision and construct sustainable cities of the future. The competition will take place on January 18 at the University of New Mexico School of Engineering.

Participants in this program learn valuable skills such as teamwork, problem-solving, public speaking, and leadership while engaging with STEM subjects like mathematics and science. This year’s competition includes students from 18 schools throughout New Mexico, including those from Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Cimarron, Tularosa, Taos, and To’Hajiilee. The winning team will have the opportunity to compete nationally in Washington D.C. next month.

“It is fantastic to see the growth in participation from New Mexico schools over the years, not only in the number of schools but also in the diversity of New Mexico locations,” said regional coordinator Junko Mondragon.

Sandia National Laboratories has been hosting this competition for over a decade with an aim to promote STEM education among middle schoolers. “It’s nice to see that some New Mexico educators have incorporated this competition into their core science curriculum,” stated Amy Sun, Future City educator coordinator and Sandia systems engineer. “They are teaching students how our environment impacts city planning and safe living.”

Volunteers from Sandia contribute by offering workshops and technical talks or serving as mentors and judges during the event.

The schedule for January 18 includes preliminary competitions in the morning followed by final rounds and an awards ceremony later in the day.