Awards & Prizes
Top Prizes:
- The top prize at the Finals is $7,500 for the organization’s STEM program plus a trip to U.S. Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama for up to five team members (3 Team Members, 1 Educator and 1 Mentor) awarded by Bentley Systems.
- Second place is awarded a $5,000 prize for the organization’s STEM program, provided by Shell.
- Third prize is $2,000 for the organization’s STEM program, provided by Bechtel Corporation.
- The 4th and 5th place teams each receive $750 for their organization’s STEM program, provided by NCEES.
Special Awards:
Award Name Winner Sponsor Criteria
People's Choice Award DiscoverE This award is given to the team that is voted by the general public to have the best model.
Best Age-Friendly City AARP City that best exemplifies a great place to grow up and grow old. Incorporates age-friendly planning and design throughout city, such as walkable streets, housing and transportation options accessible to people of all ages, and opportunities to participate in community life.
Best Use of Aerospace Technology in a Future City American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) National Capital Section (NCS) Team should develop a clear statement of the use and benefits of aviation and/or space technology in their project. Projects can be on, in, or above the earth, in space or on other celestial bodies. Special consideration will be given to aviation and/or space technologies used in the display.
Most Sustainable Food Production System American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers Design that provides the best sustainable food production system while conserving soil, water and energy.
Best Use of Renewable Energy American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers Design that provides the best sustainable food production system while conserving soil, water and energy.
Most Innovative Design of Infrastructure Systems American Society of Civil Engineers Design that accommodates the most innovative systems (e.g., transportation, water and wastewater) for a community.
Best Integration of Equity in Designing the Built Environment using Nature-Powered Solutions American Society of Landscape Architects This award recognizes the power of nature, the power of design, and the thoughtful work of landscape architecture. Recipients will show how landscape architects apply design thinking to harness the power of natural resources to solve complex sustainable development challenges. Use your creativity to apply nature-based solutions to address real-world problems such as climate change, air and water pollution, and threats to biodiversity while using fewer resources.
#AQOLFA Award: Advancing Quality of Life for All APWA Design that best demonstrates advancing quality of life for all. Public works is advancing the quality of life for all every day through public services that: improve mobility, provide clean water, reduce the use of natural resources, provide public places for people to come together, and provide a safer place to live, work, and play.
Best Futuristic City ASME Use of futuristic engineering concepts into city's communications, energy, or transportation systems
Best Management of Water Resources Bentley Systems, Inc. Efficient design of water treatment and distribution for human consumption, agriculture, industry, recreation, and fire protection. Responsible sewage collection and treatment for environmental protection and community aesthetics. Innovative stormwater collection, treatment, reuse and/or discharge back into the environment.
Best Residential Zone Chinese Institute of Engineers-USA Strategic placement of residential zones that allow maximum return for quality of life issues.
The City of the Future that Best Incorporates Cultural and Historical Resources Cuban-American Association of Civil Engineers, Inc. The city whose design best incorporates historical & cultural sites, buildings, infrastructure, and customs.
Best City Model DiscoverE This award is given to the team with the overall highest score as judged during the National Preliminary Judging of the Model.
Best City Presentation DiscoverE This award is given to the team with the overall highest Presentation Video score as judged by the Finals Judges.
Best City Essay DiscoverE This award is given to the team with the overall highest City Essay score as judged by the Finals Judges.
Most Advanced Smart Grid IEEE-USA Best incorporation of Smart Grid technologies for the safe, efficient, and reliable delivery of electricity throughout the city. A Smart Grid is the modernization of the electric power system by applying advanced software tools, computer controls, automation and two-way communications. Benefits include improved reliability, lower energy bills, more energy choices (including renewables such as wind, hydro, and solar), and fewer and shorter power outages.
Excellence in Systems Integration Institute of Industrial & Systems Engineers Demonstration of excellence in the design of integrated systems of people, material, information equipment, and energy.
Best Transportation System for the Community Institute of Transportation Engineers Design that thoughtfully integrates safe and equitable ways to move people around their communities. Considers multiple modes of sustainable transportation (with strong connections between different modes), prioritizes citizens’ health and safety, and creates equitable access across the city. Uses advanced and futuristic technology in ways that support these overarching goals.
Best Land Surveying Practices NCEES The design that employs the best land surveying practices, taking into consideration the high standards used by surveyors to help protect the public's safety and welfare.
Mission Possible: Positively Impacting the Community National Society of Black Engineers This award is given to the team whose Future City design promotes the best overall quality of life and demonstrates the greatest potential to positively impact the community for a sustainable future.
Professional Engineering Award National Society of Professional Engineers In planning, designing, building, and maintaining your city, please explain and give examples of steps you will undertake to: Ensure your city’s engineers are competent professionals; Comply with engineering safety codes and technical standards; and Reject behavior that misleads or deceives the public.
Outstanding Future City Project Plan Project Management Institute Educational Foundation Teams should be able to explain how they followed the project cycle when designing their Future City. They should be able to clearly communicate their activities in each stage of the project cycle, including how they created their project schedule, assigned responsibilities, and monitored and controlled their work. Finally, teams should be able to explain what they learned during their project by answering the kinds of questions that they ask themselves during their team reflection. Samples of work that highlight teams’ project management activities are encouraged.
Most Innovative Use of Ceramic or Glass Materials The American Ceramic Society/Ceramic and Glass Industry Foundation Design that best demonstrates incorporation of ceramics or glass materials, which showcases the transformative potential of these materials in shaping the cities of the future.
Excellence in Resilience Engineering UL Demonstration of excellence in the city design of resilient systems that withstand and quickly adapt to adverse circumstances and events like natural disasters.
AFCOM Data Center Best Design AFCOM Place a data center in a location that allows for room to grow, and blends into the neighborhood while including high-security fencing.