On January 25th, 2025, members of the SFPE Snake River Valley Chapter had the opportunity to serve as judges at the 21st Idaho Regional Future City Competition. This event is a part of a national, project-based learning experience where students in 6th- 8th grade imagine, research, design, and build cities of the future that showcase their solution to a citywide sustainability issue. Students work as a team with an educator and mentor and then present their solutions to judges at Regional Competitions in January. Regional winners represent their region at the National Competition in February.
This year's theme, "a city that floats," inspired numerous inventive solutions and the integration of advanced technologies to address the unique challenges posed by floating cities. The participating students demonstrated remarkable dedication and creativity in their projects, showcasing their potential as future leaders in engineering and urban planning.
The SFPE Snake River Valley Chapter presented a special award for the
Best Application of Fire Protection Principles in City Design to Tholos from American Heritage Charter School. The members were impressed by their knowledge and awareness of fire protection incorporated into their project concept and ideas.
The Future City Competition continues to be a valuable platform for young students to explore and develop their interests in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). By participating in such events, the SFPE SRV Chapter contributes to the nurturing of future generations of engineers and innovators, reinforcing their commitment to advancing fire protection engineering and public safety.
As the competition concluded, the SFPE SRV Chapter members left inspired by the creativity and forward-thinking demonstrated by all the participants. The chapter looks forward to continuing their support of the Future City Competition and other educational initiatives that encourage the growth, development, and interest of young talent in the field of engineering.
Special thanks to the SFPE SRV members who helped judge the special award: David Young, Dustin Stokes, Matthew Cox, Taryn Couchman-Cates, Michael Cates, Sean Small, Emma Carvo, and Makayla Delo.