MetroLab
Student Cup
Established in 2020, MetroLab Network’s Student Cup Competition recognizes, amplifies, and supports impactful collaboration. A prize is awarded to students from MetroLab’s member universities/colleges working in partnership with government and/or community collaborators on civic technology, data, and innovation projects.
Stay tuned for the Applications for 2024.
$1K
Prize for the top Student Project at MetroLab Network member universities/colleges
Live Pitch Competition with expert reviewers from Cities, Civic Organizations, and Academia
Opportunity to publicize projects and be featured in a MetroLab Innovation of the Month article
Student Cup Finalist
Data Privacy & Equity Impact Assessment for Oakland, CA
Katrice Willams, Jessica Cohen, Sharilyn Clark, Sarah Belke, Zachary Jacobson
Cleveland State University w/ Oakland Privacy Advisory Commission (PAC) & Oakland Department of Transportation (OAKDOT)
A team of CSU graduate students analyzed the proposed implementation of an app-based mobile parking payment system and provided a set of recommendations to the Oakland, CA Privacy Commission.
Winners of the 2023 Student Cup
Lane County Parks Deferred Maintenance and Operations Funding Alternatives
Hannah Shafer, Calvin Hoff, Olivia Mannon, Cecilia Primo, and Anton Wilkins
University of Oregon w/ Lane County, OR
This project evaluated funding options’ financial yield on whether they were equitable, neutral and efficient, and made recommendations ensuring a successful local option levy.
Precision Forecast of Land Cover Change
Xinge Zhang, Shujing Yi, and Yuewen Dai
University of Pennsylvania w/ the Chesapeake Conservancy & the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission
Team used high-resolution land cover data tocreate a forecast of land cover conversion from pervious to impervious surfaces for "Precision Conservation" in climate adaptation and mitigation planning.
Community-Scale Spatial Mapping to Prioritize Green and Grey Infrastructure Locations to Increase Flood Resilience
Michelle Reckner and Dr. Iris Tien
Georgia Tech w/ the Savannah Chatham Metropolitan Planning Commission, & City of Savannah
This method prioritizes green (nature-based) versus grey (hard-scaped) stormwater infrastructure locations using an ArcGIS analysis that incorporates civic partner preferences and climate uncertainty.
User Interactive Vision-Based Bridge Inspection System
Ishita Trivedi
University of Florida
Green Era Renewable Energy and Urban Farm Campus - Winner, Climate Challenge Cup 2021
Cynthia Medina
University of Illinois, Chicago
Alpha Nur Mobile Nuclear Reactors Project
Mason Rodriguez Rand
University of Chicago and Co-founder Alpha Nur
Real-time Road Surface Conditions and Visibility Monitoring System for Traffic Safety
Fengze Yang
University of Washington
COVID-19 & the Election: Understanding Voter Preferences and Intentions
Carolyn Daly, Mason Reece, Arisa Sadeghpour
Rice University
The students conducted a survey about voting during COVID-19, analyzed the data, and wrote a report for the Harris County Clerk. They evaluated the Clerk’s pandemic response and voter intentions in November.
Winners
Enhancing Resilience Intergenerationally: Northwest Lake Wales (ERIN)
Tiffani Banks
University of Miami
The student developed new analysis, policy, and place-making to advance economic and social resilience in a historic Black community.
Curbside Parking Monitoring and Management using Edge Computing Technology
Carolyn Daly, Mason Reece, Arisa Sadeghpour
University of Washington
The students developed urban curbside management solutions, by installing roadside units, collecting video streams, and analyzing real-time data.
Pioneer Park Master Plan: Best Practices for Community Engagement
Catherine Bruns, Vipasha Bansal, Gunnar Carlson, Kyle Franta, and Kendra Klenz
University of Minnesota
The students created community engagement recommendations and evaluative tools as it pursues development of a master plan for Pioneer Park in the City of Little Canada, Minnesota.
Est. Timeline*
MARCH 2024
Application Open
MAY 2024
Application Closes
JUNE 2024
Application Evaluation Period
JULY 2024
Finalists are Notified
SEPTEMBER 2024
Student Cup Final at the MetroLab Summit
*Dates subject to change
What Type of Projects Are Eligible?
We are looking for projects that provide New Analysis, Policy, or Technical Insights to Civic Challenges.
Civic challenges include improving government, community services, social services; creating new mobility options; rethinking urban spaces; improving public health, and more.
Preference will be given to projects that can demonstrate that research responded to a community-identified issue,
We will prioritize projects done in partnership with a civic partner (i.e. a state or local government or agency, a regional or neighborhood civic association, or a non-profit focused on community engagement or service delivery).
We will prioritize projects that have produced or will have measurable impact for the community.