2002 Pittsburgh Regional Future City Competition

Introduction

On Saturday, January 26, 2002 the Engineers' Society of Western PA (ESWP) in cooperation with the Carnegie Science Center (CSC) presented the Third Annual Pittsburgh Regional Future City Competition at PNC Park. This year thirty eight teams and more than 200 middle school students from the Tri-State Area participated. Additionally, more that 120 volunteer engineers were there to assist as judges, timekeepers, model movers, room managers and registrars.

Prior to the big day, students created a city using the computer simulation model SimCity 3000™. The students were responsible for creating a multifaceted city that would entice Sims to select their city for residency. In conjunction with their computer model, the students wrote a 300-500-word essay describing how they plan to provide energy to their citizens.

As part of the Competition, the students built a 30" X 60" model that was a creative representation of a portion of their city. Students were permitted a maximum budget of $100 and encouraged to use recycled materials. The purpose of the model was for the students to demonstrate the use of engineering scale, to understand the infrastructure of a city and to see how engineers contribute to the design and continued function of a city. The models were on display in the service tunnel area in the perimeter between the Pirate's and the Visitor's Clubhouses.

The school teams were required to make a 5 to 7 minute presentation about their city to a panel of five judges. The judges asked questions, examined the team's model and then scored the presentation and the model. These judges were volunteer engineers from area companies and technical societies. Judging areas were located in the Pirate's and Visitor's Clubhouses, Umpire's Lounge and the Media Work Room (seven judging areas total). A total of six judging rounds were conducted from 8:30 to 11:30 AM.

The Awards Ceremony and Program began at 1:00 PM and was held in the Press Conference Room. More than 400 students, teachers, parents and volunteers attended the ceremony. The teams were marched into the auditorium in a processional onto the stage and given a medal for participating. Fourteen special awards were presented by various area Technical Societies and private sponsors:

Special Award Winners

Each team who won a Special Award received a $50 US savings bond for each student, and a plaque to display at their school.

• Best Use of Ceramics (American Ceramic Society):
  Saltsburgh Middle School

• Andrew Bowers
• Jared Korchok
• Jory Scholl

• Best Use of Factories (Chemtech Consultants, Inc.):
  Holy Rosary School

• Lauryn Johnson
• Brittany Parker
• Antonio Ward

• Most Creative Use of Recyclable Material (American Institute of Chemical Engineers):
  Wendover Middle School

• Sarah Melius
• Mary Lynn Robosky
• Ross Saunders

• Best Essay (Association of Energy Engineers):
  St. Bede School

• Andrew Scholle
• David Tofovic
• Mara Tsudis

• Creative Model Design (Project Management Institute):
  Hampton Middle School

• Chris Holden
• Jonathan Luchansky
• Steven Sedlak

• Creative Model Design (Dominion Peoples):
  Hillcrest Christian Academy

• Daniel Gilmore
• Cory Kowalski
• Nathan Mueller

• Most Effective Moveable Part (ANSYS):
  Fort Couch Middle School

• Rachel Hornak
• Maria Prus
• Nathan Rubin

• Best Use of Steel (US Steel Mon Valley Works):
  Springdale JSHS

• Alex Cutrara
• Dan Jacobs
• Maggie Soff

• Most Effective Use of Bridges (Association for Bridge Contractors and Designers):
  St Alphonsus School

• Rachel Pace
• Caitlin Powell
• Michael Stamatelos

• Best Map (Dominion Peoples):
  Linton Middle School

• Anthony Catania
• Caroline Marra
• Kirsten Sweeney

• Most Effective and Prosperous Housing Development and Layout (Society of Women Engineers):
  St. Benedict the Moor

• Terrel Andrews
• Duane Ashley
• Alysia Tucker

• Most Innovative Transportation System (Society of Women Engineers)
  Rocky Grove High School

• Tracy Frank
• Ian Kuirinen
• Samuel Saeli

• Best Power Supply System (Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers):
  Harrison Middle School

• Mike Dorman
• Pat Eshghy
• William Striegl

• Best City Layout (PA Planning Association):
  Riverview JSHS

• Reed Koenig
• Tim Griffin
• Zachary Farmer

Competition Finalists

At 2:00 PM the five finalist teams were announced in random order: Rocky Grove, St. Bede, Trinity Middle School, Fort Couch Middle School and the Ellwood City Homeschool Organization (ECHO). The finalists were selected by combining the scores they were awarded for their computer simulation map, essay, model, and presentation.

After a brief recess, the five finalists made a presentation and displayed their model to the five finalist judges: Dom DiSalvo (DiSalvo Enterprises), Bernie Fedak (US Steel), Fred Sargent (Sargent Electric), Karl Lewis (University of Pittsburgh) and John Goossen (Westinghouse). The new scores for the presentation and model design were then combined with the original computer simulation map and essay scores. The final ranking of the schools:

In addition to the US Savings Bonds, students from the top three teams received $100 in gift certificates from Border's Books and the Carnegie Science Center Store. The First place team Trinity Middle School received an all expenses paid trip to the National Finals for the Future City Competition in Washington, DC during National Engineers Week Feb. 18 - 23. The Pittsburgh Regional winning team members are: Denise Cummins (teacher), Joe Kopko (Engineer, PJ Dick Inc.), Michael Kaminski (student), Joseph Kopko (student), and Britni Kress (student).

Sponsors

Sponsors for the Pittsburgh Regional Future City Competition included: Sargent Electric Company, Bombardier, The PPG Foundation, The Chester Engineers/US Filter, The Henry C. Frick Educational Fund of the Buhl Foundation, Dominion Peoples, United States Steel Corporation, ANSYS, Inc., Astorino Branch Engineers, Chapman Corp., American Society of Civil Engineers, Gannett Fleming, Inc. CH2M Hill, Inc. and Members and friends of ESWP.

Thanks to ESWP and all the students, teachers, mentors and volunteers, who made this program a success.

Carl W. Schwartz
ESWP 1st Vice President & Regional Coordinator for the Future City Competition