The 2014 Young Innovators Video Challenge, organized by Ivy Tech Community College Northwest’s Society of Innovators, kicked off on Thursday with the announcement of the categories for video submissions.
The video challenge will be part of the “What’s Your Idea” campaign and will be open to all 10th, 11th and 12th graders in the seven-county region of Northwest Indiana. The categories for video submissions are repurposing, coming up with a new product or service, launching a new company and generating fresh ideas (includes two different scenarios).
Partnering with the project, which is celebrating its 10th year, is SMDG, LLC, a social media firm out of Gary.
Milton G. Thaxton, Jr., CEO of SMDG, said he was excited when the Society of Innovators approached him about partnering on the project this year.
“We want to invigorate the minds of the youth,” Thaxton said. “This contest will be a wonderful experience and we are excited to be a part of it.”
O’Merrial Butchee, director of the Gerald I. Lamkin Innovation & Entrepreneurship Center, said the purpose of the video challenge is to think critically on how to solve problems, what makes change happen and trying to be a lead in promoting creativity and innovation.
90-second videos will be sent in from students affiliated with the ECIER Foundation, Boys & Girls Clubs of Northwest Indiana, Team LEAD and South Shore Leadership Center & SLYCE, among other organizations.
“This is an opportunity for our members to innovate themselves and get those creative juices flowing,” said Rachael Wright, director of program services for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northwest Indiana.
Videos may be uploaded to www.nwisoi.org from February 7 to April 1 for inclusion in the project, which will feature 10 winners at the 10th annual Call for Nominations on May 8 at the Purdue Technology Center of Northwest Indiana. The winners will receive honorary membership in The Society of Innovators for one year as Youth Innovators.
Public voting on the video challenge will take place from April 12 to April 25. The videos will be showcased at an April 12 expo at the Jean Shepherd Community Center in Hammond.
Brandon Griffin, COO of SMDG and the youngest member inducted into the society in 2005, said the challenge is “a consistent source of positive reinforcement” for the youth of the region.
“Our vision is to make Northwest Indiana known around the world for innovation,” added John Davies, managing director of The Society of Innovators of Northwest Indiana. “We are celebrating inventors in our backyard.”