PEB, SRC, OCC announce annual Innovation Challenge for area secondary school students

Central New York students in grades 6-12 can participate in the fourth annual Innovation Challenge.

The challenge is to invent a product that solves an everyday problem or makes life easier. From concept to completion, students work in teams to invent, design, and present their ideas to a panel of judges.

The $2,500 in prize money is awarded to the top teams in each of the two challenge age groups (grades 6-9 and grades 10-12).

The Innovation Challenge is open to students who reside in Cayuga, Cortland, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga, Oswego, and Tompkins counties.

Partners for Education & Business (PEB), SRC, Inc., and Onondaga Community College (OCC) are organizing the program. PEB is an affiliate of MACNY, the Manufacturers Association, which is based in DeWitt.

“The Innovation Challenge is a fun and engaging way for students to bring an invention to life,” Joe Vargo, executive director of PEB, said in a statement. “It ties together creativity, teamwork, public speaking and competition to provide our future workforce with a head start on the skills that can lead to success in college and in their careers.”

Registration is open now through Feb. 14. SRC will also host an information night Jan. 30. OCC will host the presentation event on March 28. More information is available at cnystem.com.

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com