Students Present Award-Winning Work Imagining Future Cities

Hudson Montessori School Middle School students, teachers, and their families were full of whoops and cheers recently at Rutgers University when all three Future City teams—a total of 18 students—achieved awards for their hard work imagining sustainable cities 100 years into the future. 

The three innovative teams of sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-graders won “Best 8th Overall Team,” “Best Food Management,” and “Most Creative Use of Materials” in this exciting STEM challenge. The teams and award winners were:

Team From the Ground Up: “8th Place Overall”

• Alice M.

• Indira G.

• Sophie L.

• Max J.

• Anvi G.

• Derin T.

Team Cybershock: “Best Food Waste Management”

• Dane S.

• Matthew G.

• Kalyani A.

• Rea R.

• Vihaan R.

• Aaron K.

Team Arvum: “Most Creative Use of Materials”

• Afsheen K.

• Maddox B.

• Caeden S.

• Raunaq S.

• Aaron T.

• Abhay P.

This year’s Future City theme, Farm to Table, asked students to rethink how food moves through a city and how waste can be reduced along the way. Along with over 50 other teams throughout New Jersey, our teams conducted research, developed city dioramas, and presented their visions of the future to a panel of judges.

Using circular economy principles, teams envisioned strategies to reuse food scraps, develop sustainable packaging and transportation systems, and turn waste into compost or energy.

The teams were supported by Future City coaches Ms. Vidya and Dr. Grace, mentors Ms. Michelle, parent volunteers, and a Hudson Montessori School alum. A special “thank you” to our parents who generously volunteered their time to share their expertise, guidance, and thoughtful feedback throughout the process.

Hudson Montessori School, located in downtown Jersey City, serves children aged 2 to 8th grade. The teachers use an interdisciplinary, theme-based learning approach grounded in the Montessori philosophy and methodology to foster a love of learning in their students. Its STEM-certified campus is the only one of its kind in New Jersey, featuring STEM-certified teachers who meet the highest standards set by the National Institute for STEM Education. The school welcomes parents to attend an open house to learn more about the school's programs.