The Boston Society of Civil Engineers Section/ASCE (BSCES) in partnership with NCEES, is dedicated to helping to support and promote the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math through STEM education. Led by our Public Awareness & Outreach (PA&O) Committee, BSCES has a group of over 100 regular volunteers that mentor students, run student activities, talk at schools, conduct tours, take in job shadows, and perform many other activities. We are most famous for running three major events:

New England Regional Future City Competition for Middle Schools
Over 60 teams of students from all corners of New England are already working on the challenge for this year. They are asked to create their dream city of the future and explain how it works using logic, scientific basis, and sound engineering principles. They create a scale model using recyclables, write a 1500-word essay, create a seven-minute presentation and answer questions from panels of judges. The western New England regionals will be in Enfield, CT on January 17, 2026 and Eastern New England Regionals and New England Finals will be at Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston on January 24, 2026. This year, there’s a specific focus on a self-sustaining food system from farm to table. 

Future City Competition for High Schools
Similar to the middle schools, high school students will be creating their dream cities of the future but instead of making models out of recyclables, they will be creating their cities using Autodesk’ s Revit program. The preliminary round is virtual and top teams are invited to Washington DC for the finals, the same week as the middle school finals. 

Model Bridge Contest
This contest is in its 35th year and challenges 100 teams of students, grades 5-12, to build a 3 1/2-foot span bridge of a “surprise” material, with new specifications prepared annually. This year, our bridges are made of craft sticks, post screws and twine. The contest will be in-person at Watson Hall, Wentworth Institute of Technology on February 7, 2026

As a BSCES STEM Outreach Friend, you are showing your support for these activities and the many students participating, helping to ensure that there are young people that will grow to make the world a better place. We are now seeing alumni from this competition returning to us as judges, having grown to be outstanding STEM professionals. Visit engineeryourfuture.org to learn more, including how to become a PA&O Committee volunteer!

STEM Outreach Friend Benefits:

• All BSCES STEM Outreach Friends who make a donation by Thursday, January 15, 2026, will be listed in a slideshow that is shown at both the Model Bridge and Future City Competitions. 
• BSCES STEM Outreach Friends that donate $100 or more will receive a vintage t-shirt from one of our past student competitions.
• Most importantly, you gain the benefit of knowing you helped a great cause! 

How to Become a BSCES STEM Outreach Friend:

Choose a donation amount below and become a STEM Friend. If you have any questions, please contact Michelle Monette at (617) 305-4113 or at mmonette@engineers.org.