Energy City of the Future 2050 Competition

Updated 2016 information coming soon!

February 21, 2015

Energy City of the Future is an enterprising urban planning competition for middle and high school age students that engages problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and creativity in developing a vision for Houston in the year 2050.

Student teams research and ultimately present their innovative concepts for future forms of energy production and plans for transportation, recreation, education and healthcare that enhance the city’s sustainability through energy efficiency, environmental soundness, user friendliness, and fiscal responsibility. Students are exposed to real-world challenges and explore their potential for becoming industry leaders capable of envisioning the energy and urban planning solutions of tomorrow.

Houston’s success is built on the innovative aspirations of visionaries. Sustaining its prominence as a leader in energy and urban development requires inspiring the next generation. Energy City of the Future introduces students to a variety of career fields in engineering, urban planning, technology, architecture, transportation, science, as well as energy, and their relevance to urban sustainability. Students will connect with industry professionals and potential career mentors through information gathering activities and on-site tours of destinations essential to the city’s infrastructure. Students will also develop communication and marketing skills through team presentations of visionary concepts and scale models of Houston 2050 in a judged competition. Participants will do this by creating a Power Point presentation and a public service announcement to market their plans for the future.

At a large culminating event toward the end of the school year, student teams showcase their models and explain their vision and plans for the future before a panel of Judges drawn from Greater Houston’s energy industry. Winning teams receive awards provided by the Consumer Energy Alliance.

Energy City of the Future 2050 is funded by the Education Foundation of Harris County, whose Board members provide volunteer support and leadership for the initiative. CASE for Kids, a division of the Harris County Department of Education, implements and staffs the programs and organizes the culminating event and volunteers during the school year. 

The culminating event for the Houston: Energy City of the Future 2050 Competition will be held February 21, 2015 at University of Houston.

For more information on team registration or volunteering, please contact the CASE office at 713-696-1331 or e-mail Trina Finley.

Winning students will be recognized at the Houston: Energy City of the Future 2050 Competition Awards Ceremony, will receive awards at Energy Day and will be invited to display their projects at Energy Day on October 17, 2015.