Pictured Left to Right: Derek Sheaffer, grade 8; Serena Laboy, grade 8; Reece Young, grade 7; Daniel Orris, grade 8; Xavier Murphy, grade 8; Mason Mariano, grade 7; Elise Freeman, grade 7; Seth Thomas, grade 7; Brianna Hayes, grade 7; and Jillian Hess, grade 8
The 7th and 8th grade team from Middletown Area Middle School represented MASD with PRIDE at the 2023 Future Cities competition. The team placed 2nd outscoring several impressive teams in the top five. This year's model included an underground level. Congratulations to these students for their hard work and accomplishment.
THE CHALLENGE was to choose one climate change impact affecting their city and design one innovative and futuristic climate change adaptation and one mitigation to keep their residents healthy and safe.
OUR CITY
“Located on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, Hypotia faced many coastal threats due to climate change. From 2018 to 2085, the sea level had risen an average of 51cm. Within the city’s agricultural sector, rising sea water contaminated the very little fertile soil left, and rising temperatures and increased demand for water threatened crop yields. With the increased temperature, the Nile River evaporated and lost 70% of its water.”
AN ADAPTATION
“Over the past few decades, the rising sea levels increased from approximately 21 centimeters to 78 centimeters. The city’s original solution in 2020 was to put concrete into the ocean to stop erosion along with the development of a highway along the coast; however, barriers were expensive, and both of these solutions decreased biodiversity habitats in the sea. Engineers, urban farmers, and designers listened to citizens’ complaints regarding this issue and developed innovative “living shorelines” which helps address saltwater intrusion, expands biodiversity within the Mediterranean, and increases recreational opportunities. Using a sill-type shoreline, rocks are placed within the sea, blocking most water and debris, with grass behind the rocks which provide flood protection and a natural habitat for life in the sea. The living shoreline was also designed with nature paths and parks to increase recreational activities for citizens.”
A MITIGATION
"Within the city, fossil fuels derived approximately 90% of total power generation. This directly impacted rising temperatures and sea levels. To prevent reliance on fossil fuels, Hypotia developed a city-wide initiative to eliminate fossil fuel consumption which resulted in redesigning energy production and transportation. This included developing the W.E.L.P (Water and Electricity through Liquefied Poop), using floatovoltaics along our coast for solar energy production, and developing personal and mass transportation using solar energy."