Future City named UL Innovative Education Award Winner

Barb Guthrie first learned about Future City in 2015 when it was a finalist for the UL Innovative Education Award. Designed to find and recognize environmental education programs, UL was looking for programs that embodied their philosophy of making a difference in the world— keeping people and the environment safe and healthy.

"What’s so impressive about Future City is how it uses the environment as a pathway to STEM. Going beyond traditional models of environmental education, Future City asks students to embrace the planning of a city—the layout, economy, energy and water sources, infrastructure, culture—the whole thing!”

Barb and her fellow judges collectively agreed and named Future City as the grand prize winner of the 1st UL Innovative Education Award in 2015. Part of the prize package included UL employees serving as program advisors, team mentors, and competition judges.

Barb served as a judge at the 2016 Future City competition in Washington, DC. “After our thorough vetting of Future City, I thought I knew what to expect. I wasn’t prepared for how amazing these kids were and how much they knew about using engineering to keep their cities healthy and safe.”