A Spartanburg middle school team won first place in the 19th annual regional Future City competition on January 22, fulfilling the mission to design and build a model city with a zero-waste future.

McCracken Middle School advances to the National Finals of the Future City competition in Washington, D.C. The top team in this event receives $7,500 towards their school’s science, technology, engineering, and math program, plus a trip to Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama.

Savannah River Nuclear Solutions and the Ruth Patrick Science Education Center at the University of South Carolina at Aiken hosted the regional competition for sixth, seventh and eighth graders virtually.

“I hope students recognize that competitions like Future City can lead to a very beneficial experience that can last a lifetime,” said Buford Beavers, head of the engineering department at SRNS. “Our country’s success will be determined by students like these who have participated in this incredible, month-long project.”

Merriwether Middle School in North Augusta took second place in the regional competition, and Williston’s Dreams Imagination & Gift Development Program placed third.

Teams were asked to design a futuristic city using the three principles of a circular economy: design waste and pollution, keep products and materials in use, and regenerate natural systems.

“Each year, I’m impressed with the hours of work that typically go into each city,” said Taylor Rice, who works with the SRNS Education Outreach Division and coordinates the regional competition. “I admire their dedication and determination to work as a team under the helpful guidance of a teacher and mentor.”

Each team of students was judged by panels of STEM and design volunteers on deliverables including a 1,500-word essay, a mockup with a $100 budget, and a seven-minute video presentation highlighting creativity. , ingenuity and communication skills of the team. The use of recycled materials for the model was encouraged.

Although Future City is a competitive event for more than 45,000 students from 1,500 colleges in the United States, teams from other countries are encouraged to compete. Canada, China and Nigeria will send teams to this year’s finals.

Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, a Fluor-led company with Newport News Nuclear and Honeywell, is responsible for the management and operations of the Department of Energy’s Savannah River site located near Aiken, South Carolina.

Future City South Carolina regional coordinators Taylor Rice, who is with Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, left, and John Hutchens, with the Ruth Patrick Science Education Center at USC Aiken, center, announce the winners of this year’s regional virtual Future City competition. USC Aiken senior Doryan Broadwater, right, attends the event.

Future City Regional Competition Volunteer Kelly Schepens judges a model and presentation given by students from Merriwether Middle School, North Augusta. This team took second place in the competition.