One of the biggest myths about engineers is that while they're good at math and science, they lack communication skills such as speaking and writing. Nothing could be further from the truth. All successful engineers must know how to present their ideas on paper, and the Future City competition is designed to teach this fundamental skill to your students at an early age. No, they won't have to write like Ernest Hemingway, or Arthur C. Clarke. But the judges will be seeking essay and abstract papers where ideas are focused, clearly organized, and backed up by sound research.
Here are some helpful pointers. First, have your students begin their essay outline early in the process. How early? Be sure to link to the timeline for guidance. Second, make sure your students answer the problem statement. In the past, well-written essays had points deducted because they failed to address the core statement. Third, understand the importance of researching your solutions to the problem statement. Start by reviewing the essay and abstract chapter in your handbook. As you'll see, research isn't limited to long hours in the library. Your students can conduct interviews with people directly involved with the problem statement in the real world. They can conduct surveys to test their ideas and hypotheses. There are also web sites listed which are age-appropriate and contain a wealth of information. Also, be sure to tap into the experience of your Engineer/Mentor as he or she can be an excellent guide to finding hidden resources available to your students.
Writing your essay and abstract, however, doesn't stop with the research. Your students will probably have the most fun when they conduct experiments on the city they're designing. Your task will be to help them articulate the results of their findings. One way to do this is to share with them some of the winning essays and abstracts submitted from previous competitions. And, when you break down the essay's lead and supporting paragraphs, they'll better understand what is required of them. You'll find other techniques and tips discussed in the handbook, such as collaborative writing, peer-coaching, brainstorming and the use of mind maps, all of which you'll want to review with your Engineer/Mentor and students.
For those students who consider researching and writing the essay and abstract their least favorite portion of the competition, be sure to remind them that it comprises nearly 25% of their overall score. It's also helpful to remember why you need to closely monitor the time and effort they spend on their research and writing. Ultimately, you'll be teaching your students a skill they'll carry for a lifetime.
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