The National Engineers Week Future City Competition provides compelling evidence of the power of pairing computer software and technology with traditional hands-on activities to teach challenging subject matter and also harder- to- measure "real" workplace skills. Now in its 13th year, the Competition asks middle school students to work in teams to design some aspect of a city's future. This year's theme: "How can futuristic transportation systems efficiently use aggregate materials--crushed stone, sand, and gravel--as a basic construction product?" This competition is about students knowing that they have the ability to make a change in our world, that they must let their voices be heard and dreams be realized, and that with hard work the simulated city of the computer world can come alive and surprise even its creators, and that some day these students will be able to make the world a better place."