Students ask board permission to start high school Future City team; board outlines application steps

A group of Guilderland High School students asked the school board on April 8 for permission to establish a high school Future City team that would compete in the Future City competition, a STEM program that requires a digital project, an essay, a model and a presentation component.

“Good evening, board of education members. My name is Anika, and I'm joined today by my teammates,” the student presenter said, introducing teammates Andrew Smith, Levi Heralczyk, Darshna Saravena Kumar and Justin Gian. The students said they have experience in the regional and national Future City competitions and described prior successes and awards that funded STEM programming and a trip to NASA Space Camp.

The students asked for permission to represent the district and requested access to computers and permission to use the RIBBIT software. They said they have transportation arranged between the high school and middle school for meetings and access to experienced mentors and advisors, and they asked the board to allow the high school team to form.

The board advised procedural next steps: the students must complete a charter-application form that will be reviewed by the board and must identify an adult advisor at the high school who is willing to supervise the team. The middle-school principal, Mr. Laster, praised the students’ prior record and welcomed their continuation to high school: “Over the last two years, they've absolutely represented FMS tremendously through their Future City's experience,” he said. Board members indicated Mr. Piscatelli had already spoken to the students and could be a contact for advisor discussions.

The board did not take a final vote; the administration said the application will come to the board for formal review and a vote once the students secure an advisor and submit the form.