News
Middle schoolers present at Future Cities, bring home award
Jan.
19, 2010
Plans for Mohonville — a futuristic city — helped a team of five students from Draper Middle School bring home an award for the best construction and design of a bridge from last weekend's Future City Competition at Hudson Valley Community College. The annual event combines math, science, technology, literacy, computer design, research, writing, model building and public speaking skills. Students also have to think about things like renewable energy, pollution, green spaces and affordable living, when planning their city.
Additionally, the team had to submit an essay as part of the competition. Ironically, the topic for this year’s essay was “Providing an affordable green living space for people who have lost their home to a disaster or financial emergency.” With the tragic earthquake in Haiti, just last week, the topic couldn’t have been more relevant. Eighth-grader Laura Treers submitted an essay that suggested and supported the idea of using shipping containers as emergency housing. An article appearing on ScienceDaily, dated Jan. 17, 2010, reported that shipping containers are currently being used for temporary housing in Haiti.
This year's Future Cities team was comprised of eighth graders, Laura Treers and Brandon Walter and sixth graders Nolan Carroll, Joe Conway, and Zachary Hess. However, about 25 other middle school students were also involved in various ways with Future City this year. Advisors are Mohonasen Science Administrator Gerald Garing and Mr. Matthew Hunt, a civil engineer from Creighton-Manning LLP. Mr. Hunt attended weekly meetings, during which he shared his real-world experience. The team is now looking forward to applying their experience next year!
Learn more about Future Cities at the National Engineers Week Web site.
