Future City Competition
by DiscoverE
Middle school students in grades 6-8 design and build future cities addressing sustainability issues, with a focus on wildfire resilience for the 2026-2027 season. Teams create virtual and physical models, essays, and presentations.
About
The Future City Competition challenges middle school students in grades 6-8 to imagine, design, and build future cities that address a citywide sustainability issue. For the 2026-2027 season, the theme is 'Fire Resilient Future,' tasking students to design a city capable of preventing, protecting from, and recovering from urban wildfires. Teams, composed of at least three students, an educator, and a volunteer mentor, develop a virtual city design, a physical model, an essay, and a presentation. Registration for many regional competitions typically closes on October 31, 2026, with regional competitions held in January 2027. The Future City Finals take place in Washington, D.C., in February 2027.
Who's eligible
Students in grades 6, 7, and 8. Teams require at least three students, an educator, and a volunteer mentor.
How to enroll
Teams register through an educator/school and complete project deliverables including a virtual city design, a physical model, an essay, and a presentation.
Ready to apply?
Information current as of Aug 17, 2026.