Each year, the Future City Competition provides middle school students the opportunity to showcase their vision of a “city of the future.” This year, students were challenged to utilize engineering and project management principles to incorporate climate change initiatives into their city’s design. The Arizona regional finals culminated on January 21, 2023, where PMI Phoenix Chapter members supported the Executive Committee with volunteers and judges connecting these up and coming project managers with real-world professionals.
This year's Best Project Manager award recipient was Natalie Robert from Highland Lakes. Though the competition was fierce, Natalie appeared calm and confident. She indicated that the team wanted to learn how to work together "professionally" in going through the steps necessary to build a city. Natalie also candidly referred to challenges the team had with motivation and "burnout " toward the project's end. She further indicated that when this occurred, she took it upon herself to help the team regain their focus and remind them of what they wanted to achieve together.
Dennis Kinton, PMI Phoenix Future City Director, (right) award Natalie Robert (center) with the Best Project Plan Award.
When asked how the team kept organized, on time, and within budget, Natalie said using online tools like "office and zoom" were instrumental from a technical perspective to stay on track; however, finding motivation was a key factor for the completion of all phases. She felt making sure her teammates were still "happy with the work they were doing" was essential to get past setbacks. The example used was their challenge in cutting Styrofoam for the model. They found that many shapes cut were uneven and not to scale. So they had to cut them repeatedly. During these times, they needed to re-focus as a team and remember their original goals.
PMI Phoenix proudly presented Natalie Robert from Highland Lakes with the Best Project Manager award through professionalism, using project management methodologies and tools, and knowing how to keep her team focused and motivated. Good job, Natalie!
More articles about this year's competition:
PMI Phoenix Gives Back During Future City Competition 2023 Regional Finals – Arizona
PMI Phoenix is requesting judges to assist with the Elementary and Junior High Paradise Valley Science and Engineering Fair. The Paradise Valley Elementary and Middle School Science and Engineering Fair (Jr. PVSEF) is quickly coming up. From a judging standpoint, you will be judging the process and you do not have to be an expert in a particular scientific or engineering area. The students greatly benefit from interacting with professionals and adults which will better prepare them to continue to complete research projects and compete at the next level. PMI Phoenix and the Fair Committee is very appreciative of your efforts.
Details:
- The fair is in-person.
- It will be held on March 4, 2023, from 8:30 - 11:00 am.
- Judge orientation is from 8:00 - 8:30 am
- Each judge will be assigned 6-8 projects to judge.
- Project judging will be 10 minutes per project with 5 minutes between projects to finish digital judge forms (15 minutes/project).
- The awards ceremony will be virtual on Monday, March 5, 2023, at 5pm.
- Student awards will be sent to each school so teams can have their own school celebration.
- Winners of Jr. PVSEF move on to the state science and engineering fair (AZSEF) on March 30, 2023 (Projects must be registered by March 15, 2023)
Logistics
- Judges should sign up via the following link for PV Schools District Science Fair Judges Registration by filling out this Judge's registration form. (The school is also asking that you please share this email or judge registration link with anyone else you think might be interested in being a judge.)
- List PMI Phoenix as the organization that you are representing (sixth field down on the form).
- Please send an email to
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to let him know that you are participating in this endeavor. - Track the hours that you spend performing your feedback responsibilities.
- If you do have questions regarding this, please contact Steve Poessnecker (
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ) or Pamela Fulk, STEM/CREST Coordinator for Paradise Valley Schools (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ).
This Valentine’s Day give a gift from the heart - donate blood and help someone in need today!
Join the PMI Phoenix Social Good team and the American Red Cross’ (ARC) virtual SleevesUp Campaign. PMI members, family, and friends can register for an appointment anywhere in the US under our campaign to donate blood on behalf of the PMI Phoenix Chapter.
Let’s provide a lifesaving gift for patients in need! Our goal is to donate 100 pints of blood in the next 45 days. The campaign will be open starting February 14th to March 31st, 2023.
ear PMI Phoenix Chapter Members, Thank you for your support during the last elections process. I am excited and honored to be your incoming Board Chair. It i...
I would like to introduce you to Meghan Booth, our September 2022 Volunteer of the month. She became a member in June 2018 and started volunteering in January 2022. Meghan Booth is a member of the Chapter Social Good and Membership teams; her motivation for becoming a volunteer was, "I wanted to become more involved so I could see how the programs worked together. Then I heard about Social Good and knew I could help the community."
In prior years and in 2022 Meghan was involved in Cushy Tushy (a diaper drive), Parent Teacher Organization, U13-14 girls soccer coach, West Wing Community, Ukraine Aid, Mom’s Pantry, Coat Drive, and the Turkey Drive. As you can see, Meghan Booth has a service heart for the community.