Sandia hosts New Mexico Future City Competition

Nearly 40% of food produced in the U.S. is wasted and accounts for 28% of the world’s agricultural land use and 25% of agricultural water use, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Environmental Protection Agency.

New Mexico students stepped up to address these challenges at the Future City Competition on Jan. 17. Hosted by Sandia, middle school students imagined a world where food was not only abundant, but also sustainably managed from farm to table.

Participants designed cities to address the entire food lifecycle, from cultivation and packaging to consumption and disposal.

“This competition was a fantastic opportunity for students to think critically about real-world problems and apply engineering and science to create innovative solutions,” said Justin Teo, a fleet manager at Sandia and co-regional coordinator for the New Mexico event.

Justin is one of many Sandians who volunteer each year, guiding workshops, leading technical talks and mentoring participants.

“I first got involved seven years ago when my daughter participated,” said Sandia volunteer Chi Yang, optical engineer and incoming co-regional coordinator. “Seeing her excitement and the joy of learning inspired me to continue volunteering. It was rewarding to help the next generation explore the world of science.”

This year, 11 schools and 23 total teams from across the state showcased their creative solutions, and judges selected a finalist: Tierra Selkora from Mandela International Magnet School in Santa Fe.

“Volunteering as a national competition special award judge was an incredible experience,” said Lili Xiao, Sandia electrical engineer and incoming co-regional coordinator. “I got to see the amazing work and ideas from students across the U.S. and the world. It’s incredibly rewarding to hold a successful event and inspire students to learn.”

Tierra Selkora defends their state championship title and qualifies to compete in the national competition Feb. 14-17 in Washington, D.C.

Since Sandia began hosting this competition in 2013, more than 1,300 students have participated, tackling themes ranging from floating cities to age-friendly urban designs.

“As I reflect on my journey as the regional coordinator for the Future City Competition, I am filled with a profound sense of passion and purpose,” Sandia research and development manager Junko Mondragon said. “My involvement began nearly a decade ago as a judging coordinator, a role I accepted out of a desire to support the committee and help foster student engagement. As I pass the baton to the incoming coordinators, I am confident that the Future City Competition will continue to thrive, igniting passion for STEM fields and empowering students to envision a sustainable future.”