L to R: Cara Hartz, Natalie French, Joe Lillie (2004 National Engineers Week Chair), Alan Boeckmann (2004 National Engineers Week Co-Chair), Allison Garda Brian Ludwig (teacher)

WASHINGTON, February 25 - A city of the future – “Avenir” – designed by students from Riverview Junior/Senior High School in Oakmont, Pennsylvania, has won the 2004 National Engineers Week Future City Competition^TM. The students – Allison Garda, Natalie French, and Cara Hartz – teamed up with their teacher Brian Ludwig, and volunteer engineer mentor Bill Brooks of Brooks Fire Protection Engineering. Riverview was the winner of the Pittsburgh regional Future City Competition.

Teams from 33 middle schools nationwide, winners of regional competitions in January, participated in the National Finals on Monday through Wednesday, February 23-25 at the Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. Second place went to Valley Middle School in Oakland, New Jersey, winners of the New York City regional competition, and Drexel Hill Middle School in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania, winners of the Philadelphia regional competition, took third place honors.

The Future City National Finals is hosted by Bentley Systems, Incorporated, a leading engineering software company, and chair of the competition’s new National Leadership Council. Bentley also provides the first prize for the Riverview team – a trip to US Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama.

Future City invites 7^th - and 8^th -graders to create computer and large 3-D models of a city of tomorrow. More than 1,100 schools and 30,000 students participated in the not-for-profit educational program this year. Using SimCity 3000, donated by Maxis, a division of Electronic Arts, in Walnut Creek, Calif., the students, guided by a teacher and volunteer engineer mentor, build a metropolis from the ground up, dealing with pollution, unemployment, education, traffic jams, and other real-life problems – all with a balanced budget. Then they present and defend their city to a panel of judges at the competition.

Teaching students to hone the skills that solve real-world problems is at the core of Future City. In addition to their computer design, model, presentation and abstract, the students must also research and write an essay on an engineering challenge. For 2004, the topic was using plastics to help senior citizens live a better life in the future. This year’s essay challenge was sponsored by the American Plastics Council.

Now in its 12^th year, Future City encourages interest in engineering by providing hands-on applications for math and science, and lays the foundation for developing workplace skills such as vision and imagination, troubleshooting, teamwork and cooperation. Volunteer mentors offer what is often a student's first glimpse into the world of engineering, a step in encouraging a career in the field.

The Future City Competition is sponsored by National Engineers Week, founded in 1951 to increase public awareness and appreciation of the engineering profession and technology. Co-chairs for 2003 are The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE / IEEE-USA) and the Fluor Corporation. For more information, visit www.futurecity.org and www.eweek.org.

In addition to the Top Five teams that were announced at the Future City National Finals on Wednesday, February 25^th, 21 Special Awards were also handed out. The complete list of 2004 Future City Competition winners follows:

First Place: Riverview Junior/Senior High School, Oakmont, Pennsylvania, from the Pittsburgh regional competition. The Riverview team receives a trip to US Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama, provided by Bentley Systems, Incorporated.

Second Place: Valley Middle School in Oakland, New Jersey, from the New York City regional competition. Valley Middle School receives a $2,000 scholarship for the school's technology program, provided by the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME).

Third Place: Drexel Hill Middle School in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania, from the Philadelphia regional competition. Drexel Hill Middle School receives a $1,000 scholarship for the school’s technology program, provided by The National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE).

Fourth Place: Heritage Middle School in Westerville, Ohio, from the Ohio regional competition.

Fifth Place: St. Barnabas Catholic School in Chicago, Illinois, from the Chicago regional competition.

Best Essay, sponsored by the American Plastics Council: Ira J. Murphy Elementary School in Peoria, Arizona, from the Phoenix regional competition.

Best Model, sponsored by the Fluor Corporation: Nativity of Our Lord School in Orchard Park, New York, from the Buffalo regional competition.

Best Use of Aerospace Technology, sponsored by The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics – National Capital Section: St. Thomas More School in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, from the Louisiana regional competition.

Best Use of Biotechnology, Materials, and Processes, sponsored by the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE): Marquette Catholic School in Yakima, Washington, from the Washington State regional competition.

Most Innovative Design of Infrastructure Systems, sponsored by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE): Heritage Middle School in Westerville, Ohio, from the Ohio regional competition.

Best Indoor Environment, sponsored by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE): St. Dominic’s School in Benicia, California, from the Northern California regional competition.

Best Futuristic City, sponsored by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers International (ASME): Harding Middle School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, from the Iowa regional competition.

Best Residential Zone, sponsored by the Chinese Institute of Engineers/USA (CIE/USA): Harding Middle School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, from the Iowa regional competition.

Best Futuristic Personal Transportation System, sponsored by the Ford Motor Company: Atascocita Middle School in Humble, Texas, from the Texas-Houston regional competition.

Best Communications System, sponsored by The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers – USA (IEEE-USA): St. Philip Neri School in Midwest City, Oklahoma, from the Oklahoma regional competition.

Protecting Public Health and Safety through Competent and Ethical Engineering Practices, sponsored by the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE): St. Valentine School in Redford, Michigan, from the Michigan regional competition.

Most Innovative Power Generation System, sponsored by the Navy Nuclear Propulsion Program: Queen of Angels Catholic School in Roswell, Georgia, from the South Carolina regional competition.

Best Manufacturing Zone, sponsored by the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME): Drexel Hill Middle School in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania, from the Philadelphia regional competition.

Best Transportation System, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Transportation – Federal Highway Administration: Valley Middle School in Oakland, New Jersey, from the New York City regional competition.

Excellence In Systems Integration, sponsored by the Institute of Industrial Engineers (IIE): King Middle School in Oceanside, California, from the Southern California regional competition.

Best Use of Innovative Construction Materials and Techniques, sponsored by the American Society for Quality – Design and Construction Division: Nativity of Our Lord School in Orchard Park, New York, from the Buffalo regional competition.

Best Representation of Manufacturer Supply Chains, sponsored by the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) and Kimberly-Clark: Milwaukee Academy of Science in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, from the Milwaukee regional competition.

Best Land Surveying Practices, sponsored by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying: Holy Trinity Catholic School in Lenexa, Kansas, from the Kansas regional competition.

Best Use of Information Technology, sponsored by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA): Wabash Valley Home Educators in Vincennes, Indiana, from the Indiana regional competition.

The Most Innovative Uses of Aggregates (Crushed Stone, Sand and Gravel) in Designing Future Cities, sponsored by the National Stone, Sand, and Gravel Association: Chippewa Middle School in St. Paul, Minnesota, from the Minnesota regional competition.

Best Disaster Contingency Planning and Response, sponsored by the Association for Facilities Engineering: Westminster Academy in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, from the Florida competition.

People’s Choice Award, selected by the students: Drexel Hill Middle School in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania, from the Philadelphia regional competition.

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