Realtors’ ‘School of the Future Design Competition’ Set to Begin

The School of the Future Design Competition encourages middle school students throughout the country to work in teams to design a school that will be a better learning environment, more energy efficient, more friendly to the natural environment, and integral to the surrounding community.
Students love it as they make their own learning happen, feel a sense of pride in their school and community, and visualize the future.
The National Association of REALTORS®, in partnership with the Council of Educational Facilities Planners, International (CEFPI), sponsors the competition. Regional first-and second-place winners are honored at a ceremony in their communities, where they receive cash awards from NAR presented by representatives of a local REALTOR® association.
Finalist teams will receive a trip to Washington, D.C., to present their projects to the national design jury. The highlight of the competition is an awards ceremony and reception for the finalists at the National Association of REALTORS® in Washington, D.C. The finalists also will have an opportunity to meet with their senators and representatives on Capitol Hill.
Become a Community Leader in the School of the Future Design Competition
As a REALTOR® or REALTOR® association, realtors care about the communities where they do business, and know schools are integral to neighborhoods and communities. The School of the Future Design Competition is a way to enhance relationships with local schools and make a difference in the communities.
Realtors, get involved
• Request a Brochure. Complete the online form to receive a brochure on the Competition that you can distribute to your local school. The brochure includes a DVD, which highlights the students who have participated in the Competition. See the timeline for the competition.
• Visit a School. Contact the local school principal or official and meet with them to discuss the competition. NAR provides an information folder, including a DVD in which students tell about their experiences in the competition and what they learned.
• Refer a School. Those knowing a school that might like to join the competition, invite them to sign up for the competition. Registrations will be accepted through November.
• Mentor Students. Give students advice and encouragement each week as they design their schools, build models, and prepare for their jury presentations. Take a look at what a mentor can do. Sign up to be a mentor. CEFPI manages the mentors and will try to match you with a participating school in your area.
• Inform Classes. Visit classrooms to inform students about the important role that schools play in the life of the community. Students will be judged on how well their designs position the school as centers of the community
• Judge Entries. Six regional design juries will judge entries in the first round of competition. Some travel may be involved. Volunteers should have some background in design or school issues.
• Adopt a School. Sponsor a local or state winner to assist with the awards ceremony and to provide resources for team travel to regional juries.
•Learn More. The NAR-sponsored School of the Future Design Competition is changing the lives of students and helping REALTORS® shape the future of their communities. The program is now poised to reach more NAR members than ever. Watch the overview video and previously recorded webinars to learn more about the competition and how you can participate.
Keep up with the Competition on Facebook!
An introduction to the competition: The 2012 Competition is underway and schools can register for the Competition and Realtors can register to become a mentor on the CEFPI website. Juries will convene in January 2012 to judge the entries. The national jury and awards ceremony will be held in April in Washington, DC. It’s also never too early to start planning for the 2012 competition.
For more information on the School of the Future Design Competition, contact Holly Moskerintz at schoolofthefuture@ realtors.org or 202-383-1157.