Casper College is stepping up as the new hub for the Future City STEM competition, bringing the regional event to Wyoming for the first time. The contest, organized by the college’s School of Science, invites middle‑school students from across the state to imagine, research, design and build model cities that can withstand future challenges.
Wildfire‑resilience theme reflects local concerns
The 2026 competition centers on wildfire resilience, a pressing issue as drought conditions heighten the risk of urban wildfires throughout the region. “Wyoming students will explore how future communities can address urban wildfires at a time when drought conditions are making wildfire preparedness, water systems, land‑use planning, emergency access, and resilient infrastructure especially relevant across the region,” said Jared James, program coordinator for the School of Science.
James added that each year’s theme tackles a national environmental problem, and this year’s focus ties directly to weather patterns such as the El Niño phenomenon, which is intensifying droughts in parts of the country while bringing excess rain to others.
Local expertise fuels the event
Alan Corey, a Casper College engineering graduate now working for CPEI, originally proposed the idea to the University of Wyoming. When the university declined, Casper College embraced the opportunity, drawing on its experience running large‑scale student science events like Science Olympiad and the Science Bowl.
By hosting the regional hub in Casper, the college keeps Wyoming students from having to travel out of state for the competition. In 2025, Casper’s CY Middle School traveled to the national competition after winning the state title in the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow contest.
Volunteers, mentors and judges needed
The college is calling on community members to help make the event a success. Volunteers are needed for registration, lunch service, awards handling and room support during the January 15, 2027 competition on the Casper College campus. Mentors with backgrounds in engineering, fire science, emergency response or urban planning will work directly with student teams throughout the fall and early winter.
“You don’t need a background in engineering or science to mentor or lead a team,” James emphasized. Judges will evaluate student essays and score the model cities, ensuring a fair and thorough assessment.
Sponsorship opportunities support student travel
While Casper College provides event space and meals, additional community sponsorship is needed to cover student travel and lodging costs for the national finals in Washington, D.C., scheduled for February 2027. Local businesses may also sponsor special awards tied to their industries, offering further recognition for outstanding projects.
Key dates and how to get involved
- Team registration closes: Saturday, Oct. 31
- Essay submission deadline: Friday, Dec. 4
- Regional competition: Jan. 15, 2027 (Casper College campus)
Teams, mentors, judges and sponsors can register online at futurecity.org/register. Those interested in supporting the event or sponsoring awards should contact Jared James at 307‑268‑2225 or via email at [email protected].
The Future City competition offers Wyoming’s youth a hands‑on opportunity to develop problem‑solving skills, collaborate on real‑world challenges and showcase innovative ideas that could shape the next generation of resilient communities.
Original reporting: Oil City News (Casper WY) — read the source article.
