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LDA Engineering hosts regional STEM event for students to seek solutions to sustainability issues
LDA Engineering is encouraging local organizations and science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) industry professionals to inspire problem-solvers of the future by contributing to the regional Future City Competition to be held Jan. 11, 2025.
Future City is a STEM education experience in which middle school students are challenged to imagine, design and build cities of the future. Participants also can win awards and compete for a spot at the finals in Washington, D.C.
“It’s always rewarding to work with bright young minds and see what they can envision,” said Jason Brooks, CEO of LDA Engineering. “Our company is committed to advancing STEM and engineering education, and this event is a great opportunity to help support that mission in our community.”
The 2025 theme is “Above the Current,” and student teams are charged with designing a floating city while keeping its citizens healthy and safe. Teams must use recycled materials and spend no more than $100 on supplies. Registration for student teams ends Oct. 31, and the competition is free for students thanks to the generosity of regional sponsors.
Become a judge
The expertise of STEM professionals, such as an engineer, technician, urban planner, project manager, architect or other industry partner, is invaluable to score team assignments, provide feedback and help determine winning projects.
This is a fun event, and judges play a crucial role in encouraging and nurturing young minds. Virtual judges are needed approximately two weeks before the competition to provide online feedback and evaluations. On-site judges are needed at the competition on Jan. 11, 2025, to assess student presentations, engage in Q&A sessions and contribute to the overall success of the event.
The time commitment is between four to eight hours, and registration is available at Register – Future City® Competition. Under the “How would you like to register?” section, click “As a judge” and follow the instructions.
Become a mentor
STEM professionals can pass along their experience and knowledge to inspire the next generation by serving as a mentor. Mentors are typically engineers, technicians, urban planners, architects and graduate students who work alongside the team educator and act as a coach and role model. They provide guidance and technical assistance to the student teams and help connect academic concepts with real-life applications. Mentors can make a meaningful difference for these students with a time commitment of just a few hours every week or two.
Regisration is available at Register – Future City® Competition. Under the “How would you like to register?” section, click ”As a mentor” and follow the instructions.
Become a sponsor
LDA Engineering is encouraging organizations to contribute to advancing innovation in STEM disciplines by becoming a sponsor. There are a variety of ways to support the event, including sponsoring meals, competition expenses and awards. Special Award sponsors can choose to support a prearranged award or create a new Special Award, which they can name, categorize and even judge if they choose to do so.
Contact Brenna Gossett at tennessee@futurecity.org today to learn more about becoming a sponsor.
Event details
The regional event will be held Saturday. Jan. 11, 2025, at the Zeanah Engineering Complex at the University of Tennessee Tickle College of Engineering.
The competition is open to teams of three or more students in sixth, seventh or eighth grade. Future City is a nonprofit powered by DiscoverE, dedicated to providing global resources, programs and connections between K-12 students and STEM professionals.
This is the eighth consecutive year that LDA Engineering has hosted and participated in Future City event.
For more information about LDA Engineering, follow the firm on social media at @LDAEngineering or visit ldaengineering.com. For more information about Future City Competition, visit futurecity.org.
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