The project-based STEM program asks participants to look a century into the future to engineer solutions for fire-resistant infrastructure. Teams will move beyond theoretical models, exploring land-use planning, early detection systems, and evacuation strategies alongside professional STEM mentors. Last year, the initiative drew over 98,000 participants across 41 regions in the United States and China, emphasizing the practical application of engineering in crisis management.
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Students Tasked with Engineering Wildfire-Resilient Cities
Nearly 100,000 middle and high school students are stepping into the role of urban planners this season, tasked with designing communities capable of surviving and recovering from wildfires. The 2026–27 Future City Competition centers on the Wildland-Urban Interface, where natural landscapes meet growing residential neighborhoods.
"Future City gives students the opportunity to see how engineering can solve problems that affect real people and communities," said Kathy Renzetti, Executive Director of DiscoverE. As students prepare their physical models and research, they are encouraged to consider how modern building materials and smarter city design can mitigate the dangers of encroaching wildfires. Regional competitions are set to culminate in the Future City Finals in Washington, D.C., scheduled for February 2027.
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