12.04.2007
2008 Future City Competition E-News, Issue 3
Welcome to the Future City Newsletter - Issue 3. This newsletter is here to help you succeed and to share experiences of the many teams competing.
The National Office of the Future City Competition brings this newsletter to you. Please check with your Future City regional coordinator for specific deadlines and additional local information.
Topics in this Future City E-Newsletter
1.-Model Size
2.-Let's Write!
3.-Essay research references ideas
4.-Essay Due Date
5.-On-Line Forum
6.-Competition Score Sheets -posted at the Future City National website
7.-Tutorial Future City videos -posted at the Future City National website
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1.--Model Size
The team will build a scale model of a section of the city. The model does not have to be an exact duplication of the computer city building by building. The purpose of the model is to give a 3-D creative representation of how one section of your future city would look.
BUILDING MODEL TO SCALE: For the competition, you set the scale for your model. For example, the key to your scale might read: 1 (inch) = 40' (feet), 0" (inches). There is no set scale for your model; however, we require the model be built to scale. Your team sets the scale for illustrating a section of the city.
MODEL SIZE: The model must be no larger than 25" (W) x 50" (L) x 20" (H). These dimensions must include all supporting structures, such as braces, hinged access parts, and any model materials hanging below or beyond the tabletop. The maximum model dimensions limitations include all fully extended model parts such as access doors, hinged pullouts, etc. No vertically oriented models. The team will decide what materials to use to construct the model, such as styrofoam, balsa wood, cardboard, clay or toothpicks. Keep in mind that this competition is for students in the 7th and 8th grade. The students do the work, including building the model. Adults should only provide guidance and support.
2.--Let's Write!
Essay
The essay is to be well written and between 500-700 words, inclusive of a reference listing. (The reference listing does not count as a part of the word count.) It is to be submitted on the Essay Form found on page A-53 in the “Teacher Handbook.” Be sure to include your “word count.” Check the due date for the essay within your region. It differs per region.
As you begin the essay, consider creative methods for your students to find information. They may conduct an interview or a survey, a case study or experiment, go on a field trip, along with both Internet and library research.
-Requirements of the Essay are found on page A-13 in the Handbook.
-Remember, you'll need to cite at least three references in an attached reference listing.
-Sample essays and abstracts from previous winners can be found at: www.futurecity.org/alumni_profiles.shtm#
-Essay references: www.futurecity.org/resources_essayreference.shtm
-For more suggestions see B-65 in the Handbook.
www.futurecity.org/docs/2008_Teachers_Handbook_B.pdf
While composing the essay, encourage students to really listen to each other's suggestions. Occasionally a student will want to dominate the session in lieu of other's ideas. Guide the students in making a group decision when conflict arises.
-Remember, the competition is also about learning teamwork.
Abstract
The "Future City Abstract" is a 300-500 word narrative designed to give a concise description of your city and some of its services. It is used to highlight important components. You will find that with most of the discussion and work on the model completed to this point, that the abstract follows a logical tract that makes it "almost write itself." The abstract is to be submitted along with the essay. Again, check for your regional due date. Information about the Abstract requirements found on page A-17 in the Handbook.
3.--Essay research references - ideas
Students will research and write a 500- to 700-word essay on the following topic: “Keeping Our Future City’s Infrastructure Healthy: Using Nanotechnology To Monitor City Structures and Systems.”
Students will:
a. Select a critical component of their Future City’s infrastructure to monitor, such as a levee or power transmission line;
b. Describe how a sensor system built into that infrastructure component would use nanotechnology to check for signs of problems; and
c. Describe how a control system, of which the sensor system is one part, can resolve those problems with minimal human intervention.
Here are a few research references –FYI:
Sensors and Control Systems
-Wikipedia—Topics on Sensors, Control Systems, and Distributed Control, and Wikibook on Control Systems (www.wikipedia.org)
-“Nanotechnology Enabled Sensors: Possibilities, Realities, and Applications” (www.sensorsmag.com/sensors/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=361237)
-Pacific Northwest National Lab—Sensing and Measurement Technology Research (www.pnl.gov/research/sensing.asp)
-Nanoelectricalmechanical Systems—(NEMs) (physicsweb.org/articles/world/14/2/8)
-Smart Transducer Interface Standards (ieee1451.nist.gov)
-“Nanosensors and Privacy” (www.earthsky.org/article/50772/christine-peterson-interview)
Nanotechnology
-Nanoscale Informal Science Education Network (qt.exploratorium.edu/nise-resources)
-Foresight Institute—Advancing Beneficial Nanotechnology (www.foresight.org)
-NASA Ames Center for Nanotechnology (www.ipt.arc.nasa.gov)
-U.S. Department of Energy nanotechnology efforts (www.science.doe.gov/nano/index.htm)
-College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (SUNY Albany, NY)
http://cnse.albany.edu/Nano_for_Kids.html
Information Geared for K–12 Students
-IEEE Virtual Museum (www.ieee-virtual-museum.org)
-National Nanotechnology Initiative Education Center (www.nano.gov/html/edu/home_edu.html)
-Nanooze—Nanotechnology Newsletter for Kids (www.nanooze.org)
-National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network Education Portal (www.nnin.org/nnin_edu.html)
-University of Wisconsin Educator Resources on Nanotechnology (mrsec.wisc.edu/Edetc/IPSE/educators/index.html)
-How Stuff Works—Nanotechnology (science.howstuffworks.com/nanotechnology.htm)
-iKnowNano TV Show – check out "What Is Nanotechnology?"
http://cnse.albany.edu/Nano_for_Kids/iKnowNanoTVSegments.html
4.-- Essay Due Date
Check the due date for the essay within your region. It varies by region, so you much check in with your own regional coordinator to determine the due dates for the different parts of the competition -including the Essay Due Date.
5.--On-Line Forum
Check out the Future City "On-Line" Forum at: www.futurecity.org/forum.shtm
Post questions to fellow team members across the country and ask for help - everyone is invited to share their ideas and suggestions.
6.--Competition Score Sheets -posted at the Future City National website
One of the keys to success with this competition is reading the Handbook. Don't forget to check out the "Resources" section on the Future City website. The Competition Score Sheets are posted in that section as well as being included in the "Teacher/Engineer-Mentor Handbook."
Go to: www.futurecity.org/resources_printableforms.shtm
7.--Tutorial Future City videos -posted at the Future City National website
Need a few ideas on how to get started? Visit the tutorial Future City videos to show you how to build your team, design your city, build your model, write your essay, prepare your presentation, and much more. . . !
Go to: www.futurecity.org/resources_video.shtm
IMPORTANT NOTE --Please check with your regional coordinator for specific deadlines and additional local information.
Next Future City Competition E-News, December 11, 2007.
The National Office of the Future City Competition brings this newsletter to you. Please check with your Future City regional coordinator for specific deadlines and additional local information.
Topics in this Future City E-Newsletter
1.-Model Size
2.-Let's Write!
3.-Essay research references ideas
4.-Essay Due Date
5.-On-Line Forum
6.-Competition Score Sheets -posted at the Future City National website
7.-Tutorial Future City videos -posted at the Future City National website
= = = = = = = = = =
1.--Model Size
The team will build a scale model of a section of the city. The model does not have to be an exact duplication of the computer city building by building. The purpose of the model is to give a 3-D creative representation of how one section of your future city would look.
BUILDING MODEL TO SCALE: For the competition, you set the scale for your model. For example, the key to your scale might read: 1 (inch) = 40' (feet), 0" (inches). There is no set scale for your model; however, we require the model be built to scale. Your team sets the scale for illustrating a section of the city.
MODEL SIZE: The model must be no larger than 25" (W) x 50" (L) x 20" (H). These dimensions must include all supporting structures, such as braces, hinged access parts, and any model materials hanging below or beyond the tabletop. The maximum model dimensions limitations include all fully extended model parts such as access doors, hinged pullouts, etc. No vertically oriented models. The team will decide what materials to use to construct the model, such as styrofoam, balsa wood, cardboard, clay or toothpicks. Keep in mind that this competition is for students in the 7th and 8th grade. The students do the work, including building the model. Adults should only provide guidance and support.
2.--Let's Write!
Essay
The essay is to be well written and between 500-700 words, inclusive of a reference listing. (The reference listing does not count as a part of the word count.) It is to be submitted on the Essay Form found on page A-53 in the “Teacher Handbook.” Be sure to include your “word count.” Check the due date for the essay within your region. It differs per region.
As you begin the essay, consider creative methods for your students to find information. They may conduct an interview or a survey, a case study or experiment, go on a field trip, along with both Internet and library research.
-Requirements of the Essay are found on page A-13 in the Handbook.
-Remember, you'll need to cite at least three references in an attached reference listing.
-Sample essays and abstracts from previous winners can be found at: www.futurecity.org/alumni_profiles.shtm#
-Essay references: www.futurecity.org/resources_essayreference.shtm
-For more suggestions see B-65 in the Handbook.
www.futurecity.org/docs/2008_Teachers_Handbook_B.pdf
While composing the essay, encourage students to really listen to each other's suggestions. Occasionally a student will want to dominate the session in lieu of other's ideas. Guide the students in making a group decision when conflict arises.
-Remember, the competition is also about learning teamwork.
Abstract
The "Future City Abstract" is a 300-500 word narrative designed to give a concise description of your city and some of its services. It is used to highlight important components. You will find that with most of the discussion and work on the model completed to this point, that the abstract follows a logical tract that makes it "almost write itself." The abstract is to be submitted along with the essay. Again, check for your regional due date. Information about the Abstract requirements found on page A-17 in the Handbook.
3.--Essay research references - ideas
Students will research and write a 500- to 700-word essay on the following topic: “Keeping Our Future City’s Infrastructure Healthy: Using Nanotechnology To Monitor City Structures and Systems.”
Students will:
a. Select a critical component of their Future City’s infrastructure to monitor, such as a levee or power transmission line;
b. Describe how a sensor system built into that infrastructure component would use nanotechnology to check for signs of problems; and
c. Describe how a control system, of which the sensor system is one part, can resolve those problems with minimal human intervention.
Here are a few research references –FYI:
Sensors and Control Systems
-Wikipedia—Topics on Sensors, Control Systems, and Distributed Control, and Wikibook on Control Systems (www.wikipedia.org)
-“Nanotechnology Enabled Sensors: Possibilities, Realities, and Applications” (www.sensorsmag.com/sensors/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=361237)
-Pacific Northwest National Lab—Sensing and Measurement Technology Research (www.pnl.gov/research/sensing.asp)
-Nanoelectricalmechanical Systems—(NEMs) (physicsweb.org/articles/world/14/2/8)
-Smart Transducer Interface Standards (ieee1451.nist.gov)
-“Nanosensors and Privacy” (www.earthsky.org/article/50772/christine-peterson-interview)
Nanotechnology
-Nanoscale Informal Science Education Network (qt.exploratorium.edu/nise-resources)
-Foresight Institute—Advancing Beneficial Nanotechnology (www.foresight.org)
-NASA Ames Center for Nanotechnology (www.ipt.arc.nasa.gov)
-U.S. Department of Energy nanotechnology efforts (www.science.doe.gov/nano/index.htm)
-College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (SUNY Albany, NY)
http://cnse.albany.edu/Nano_for_Kids.html
Information Geared for K–12 Students
-IEEE Virtual Museum (www.ieee-virtual-museum.org)
-National Nanotechnology Initiative Education Center (www.nano.gov/html/edu/home_edu.html)
-Nanooze—Nanotechnology Newsletter for Kids (www.nanooze.org)
-National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network Education Portal (www.nnin.org/nnin_edu.html)
-University of Wisconsin Educator Resources on Nanotechnology (mrsec.wisc.edu/Edetc/IPSE/educators/index.html)
-How Stuff Works—Nanotechnology (science.howstuffworks.com/nanotechnology.htm)
-iKnowNano TV Show – check out "What Is Nanotechnology?"
http://cnse.albany.edu/Nano_for_Kids/iKnowNanoTVSegments.html
4.-- Essay Due Date
Check the due date for the essay within your region. It varies by region, so you much check in with your own regional coordinator to determine the due dates for the different parts of the competition -including the Essay Due Date.
5.--On-Line Forum
Check out the Future City "On-Line" Forum at: www.futurecity.org/forum.shtm
Post questions to fellow team members across the country and ask for help - everyone is invited to share their ideas and suggestions.
6.--Competition Score Sheets -posted at the Future City National website
One of the keys to success with this competition is reading the Handbook. Don't forget to check out the "Resources" section on the Future City website. The Competition Score Sheets are posted in that section as well as being included in the "Teacher/Engineer-Mentor Handbook."
Go to: www.futurecity.org/resources_printableforms.shtm
7.--Tutorial Future City videos -posted at the Future City National website
Need a few ideas on how to get started? Visit the tutorial Future City videos to show you how to build your team, design your city, build your model, write your essay, prepare your presentation, and much more. . . !
Go to: www.futurecity.org/resources_video.shtm
IMPORTANT NOTE --Please check with your regional coordinator for specific deadlines and additional local information.
Next Future City Competition E-News, December 11, 2007.