Future City

Future City is a hands-on, cross-curricular educational program where students imagine, research, design, and build cities of the future that showcase their solution to a citywide sustainability issue. The Future City Middle School option allows teams with a minimum of three middle schoolers to meet once a week for 2 to 3 hours, using internet access, recycled materials, and up to a $100 budget for model and presentation materials. The Future City High School option serves teams of 3 to 5 high school students who meet once a week for 2 to 3 hours and use a computer with internet access to complete their work.

Programs

• Future City Middle School — Ability to meet once a week for 2 to 3 hours · $25 · Minimum of three middle schoolers (no team size limit); $25.00 registration fee per organization; up to $100 budget for model and presentation materials (most teams do not spend full amount)
• Future City High School — Ability to meet once a week for 2 to 3 hours · $300–$450 · $300-$450 registration fee per team; 3-5 high school students; access to computer and internet required

At a glance

• Price range: $25–$450

About the provider

Future City states that it is a hands-on cross-curricular educational program that brings STEM to life and starts with the question, “how can we make the world a better place?” More than 45,000 students annually in the US, Canada, China, Egypt, and Nigeria participate in the program, and it depends on hundreds of volunteers who help at the Regional Competitions. For the Future City Middle School program, there is a $25 registration fee per organization and an allowed budget of up to $100 for model and presentation materials, and most teams do not spend the full amount. For the Future City High School program, there is a $300–$450 registration fee per team, and access to a computer and internet is required. Transportation, hotel, and some meals are covered for the five official team members of regional winners who compete in the Finals in Washington, DC, and Future City provides round-trip transportation and hotel accommodations for the US team’s three student presenters, educator, and mentor for the Finals. The program notes that if someone chooses to participate as a mentor, that person is not eligible to be a judge.

If you choose to participate as a mentor you are not eligible to be a judge.

What families say

“Future City is a program that is essential for building interest in our students for STEM and for future engineering careers.” — Future City Educator

“This was our first year, and all of the students that participated are planning to return next year.” — Future City Educator

“I think future city is an easy way to have students have fun and learn about engineering.” — 7th Grade Student

Last updated August 17, 2026.