South San Antonio News

San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg is calling on students and educators to step up and challenge environmental quality in the city. The Mayor's K-12 Smart City Challenge offers an opportunity for students to contribute innovative solutions for San Antonio's future.

The SA Smart Mayor’s Challenge is a research and pitch deck competition for student teams in grades 6 - 12. Each year, a theme is picked from San Antonio’s SA Tomorrow Comprehensive Plan, and this year's focus is Environmental Quality. Students are tasked with identifying a San Antonio-specific challenge, conducting technical and market research, and proposing a solution to the challenge.

Mayor Nirenberg emphasizes the importance of engaging younger generations in sustainable and actionable solutions. He believes that their participation in sustainable development and environmental stewardship is necessary for a better future for all. He said, "I’m excited to see this incoming group of civic-minded youth changemakers participate in sustainable development and environmental stewardship in our city."

Through this competition, students will not only tackle real-world environmental issues in San Antonio but also enhance their problem-solving skills by developing practical solutions for urban challenges. They will have the opportunity to work in teams, learn from experts, and gain hands-on experience in research-based project development and presentation skills.

Cliff Zintgraff, the Founder and Chair of SA Smart: The Mayor’s K-12 Smart City Challenge, expressed his belief in preparing the students for leadership roles in the future of San Antonio. He said, "We are preparing them to be the CEOs, scientists, researchers, thought leaders, elected officials, and advocates of our city’s future."

To participate in the challenge, teams must register by December 29, 2023. They are also required to attend the Competition Clinic, which is an interactive session where teams receive insights, tips, and guidance to enhance their projects. Experts in the field of smart city development, environmental management, and entrepreneurship will be present to provide valuable support.

Richard Giblin, the first-place winner in 2020, shared his experience participating in SA Smart. He said, "Participating in SA Smart put my teammates and me in an unknown environment of talking to real experts and proposing real solutions. This kind of critical thinking experience was more hands-on than other educational experiences and profoundly better."

The competition has drawn robust community partnerships in support. This year's SA Smart partners include the City of San Antonio Mayor’s Office, the Parks and Recreation Department, the Office of Sustainability, and SAMSAT.

For more information and to register, interested parties can visit the SA Smart website at sa-smart.org.

Click this link to access more information: https://www.sa.gov/Directory/News/News-Releases/Mayor-Calls-on-Students-and-Educators-to-Challenge-Environmental-Quality