Nine students from Holy Angels will be among the 1,039 seventh- and eighth-grade students who are designing environment-friendly cities as they compete Saturday, Jan. 23, 2010 in the 15th Annual Philadelphia Regional Future City Competition.
Before the competition, students must design a model city using the SimCity 4 computer game, write an essay describing their city and make a scale model of the city using recycled materials. During the competition, students will given an oral presentation about their city.
This year’s theme is “Providing An Affordable Living Space For People Who Have Lost Their Home Due to a Disaster or Financial Emergency.” Holy Angels’ students named their city Palolista.
Barbara Snively, teacher and moderator of the Future City Club at Holy Angels, said the project is completely student run.
“They are energized and have been working hard,” she said.
Student, Alan Clark, a student said his friend William Brown, who is also participating, told him there would be computers involved.
“I was really interested in the computer aspect,” Clark said. “I think we can have fun while learning even if we don’t know it. I just found out that we were learning two days ago.”
Christa House said she thinks the Future City project is a good experience.
“We find out different ways to help the environment,” the student said. “We like working together and doing something constructive.”
Snively said she will apply again next year and knows some kids who will be interested.
“Next year will be easier because the first year you’re trying to launch the program,” she said. “It’s a learning experience and gives them a chance to think outside the box.”
