Although the Meet the Robinsons competition has now closed, teachers can still use the notes below to run this as a National Science and Engineering Week activity.

It is almost impossible to imagine our lives and the world in which we live without engineering and technology.

From the homes, offices and schools we live and work in, the water, gas and electricity we take for granted, the many forms of transport we use to get around, not to mention the home entertainment systems that are cramming the shelves in our high street shops (think digital and high definition TV, video games like the Xbox and PlayStation) to mobile communications ranging from phones, laptops, satellite navigation systems to handheld computers – all fantastic gadgets that were once only available to the likes of James Bond.

All of these things, none of which would have been available to make our lives easier and improve our standard of living, would have been possible with the invaluable work of scientists, engineers and technologists.

How will we need to change the way we live in the future to ensure that the planet stays healthy?

Will the three Rs of the future no longer be Reading, Writing and Arithmetic but rather reduce, reuse and recycle?

What alternative and sustainable ways will there be of creating energy to heat and light our homes and to provide us with clean, fresh drinking water?  Will transport as we know it change beyond all recognition?  How will we dispose of our waste?  Will we have to adapt where and how we live to accommodate rising sea levels?  Will telephones as we know them be confined to museums?

Consider these and other environmental issues and encourage the children in your class to think about them and draw a picture of an eco-friendly city of the future with a strong focus on the solutions that will be provided by engineering, technology and science.

Check below for an example of an eco-friendly city

Eco-friendly city example (PDF 162K) - by Charlotte Bell

Relevance to the national curriculum and key stages

MTR Curriculum Links (PDF 21K)

Notes
National Science and Engineering Week 2007, Meet the Robinsons – design an eco-friendly city of the future is an activity for schoolchildren aged from five to fourteen. (KS1, KS2 and KS3).

Organised by the British Association for the Advancement of Science (the BA) with support from the Engineering and Technology Board (ETB) and sponsored by Disney/Buena Vista International the aim of the competition is to raise awareness amongst children, their teachers and other influencers of the huge impact that science, technology and engineering has across all areas of our everyday lives.

It is recommended that teachers discuss with pupils the points outlined in the teachers guide above and ask them to think about and draw a picture of how they imagine the city of the future – featuring the impact that technology and scientists and engineers will have in saving our planet.

For more information on the ways in which engineering, science and technology has a positive impact on our world and the environment visit:

Guardian - What can I do?

Energy Saving Trust

The Sustainable Building Association

The Royal Town Planning Institute

Cities of the future

The Carbon Trust

Every Action Counts

Channel 4 Science

Foresight