BINGHAMTON, N.Y. -- Students from Binghamton's East Middle School are sharing new ideas to improve the city they call home.

It's part of a year-long project through the district's challenge enrichment program.

Students shared their ideas to make Binghamton more globally competitive. Projects ranged from re-purposing vacant buildings to opening more community spaces for kids.

Teachers say projects like these help children pay more attention to their communities.

"We look at the world so much with students and this gives them an opportunity to really zero in on their area of the world and to think about what do we really need, and how can we be global citizens in the future and make those changes," said enrichment teacher Kim Sanford.

Last year, the city did follow through with a student project to refurbish a local park.