Last night, students from Maricopa showcased their innovative designs, presenting handmade models of “Future Cities” and “Tiny Homes” at Desert Wind Middle School. A select panel of judges, including Maricopa Mayor Nancy Smith and MUSD President Robert Downey, evaluated the projects submitted by local tween teams.

The competition aims to provide a platform for students to tackle real-world challenges through science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Participants are encouraged to envision sustainable solutions for the urban landscapes of the future. Jennifer Szoltysik, a teacher at Desert Wind and leader of the Future Cities initiative, emphasized the project’s significance for experiential learning. “They’re creating a future that they want to live in,” she stated, highlighting the relevance of problem-solving skills in today’s context.

The stakes are high, with the top prize in the Future Cities competition set at $7,500 and a chance to attend Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama. Students began brainstorming their projects back in September, focusing on technological and engineering solutions that could be implemented in a century.

Having mentored students through this competition for over a decade, Szoltysik brought in experienced guides this year. Abigail and Madeline Keleman, former competitors themselves, returned to assist the current participants. Their insights are particularly valuable; Abigail noted the importance of fostering a sense of responsibility among youth to address global issues. “It helps so that… there’s at least some people out there that can help actually solve these problems,” she remarked.

Madeline Keleman offered advice to the judges drawn from her competition experience. “You’re looking the most for what stands out,” she suggested, emphasizing the importance of integrating cultural elements into the projects.

Szoltysik expressed pride in witnessing students’ innovations. “Especially the science teacher in me, seeing all these innovations come to life is so important for future generations,” she said.

The statewide Future Cities competition is scheduled for January 18 in Queen Creek, where these passionate students will continue to demonstrate their commitment to a sustainable future.