Time Warner Cable today announced the official launch of Wouldn’t It Be Cool If…, a campaign first introduced at the 2012 White House Science Fair to get more youth thinking about science and math in a fun, innovative way through an ideation competition.
Wouldn’t It Be Cool If… challenges youth ages 10-15 to dream up the coolest thing to make their life, community or even the world more awesome, and then to think about how science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) would bring those ideas to life. From now through March 28, 2012, kids can submit their ideas online at www.wouldntitbecoolif.com.
The campaign is jointly presented by Time Warner Cable’s philanthropic STEM initiative, Connect a Million Minds, and i.am FIRST, founded by entertainer and entrepreneur will.i.am. The famed artist will also be appearing in a national public service announcement that sparks adolescent interest in STEM and encourages kids to submit their cool ideas online. Students or student teams throughout Southern California can enter the competition online and win a chance to participate in one of the SoCal based celebratory events.
“Science and math fuel the inventions and advancements that are rapidly transforming our world, and are essential skills for tomorrow’s innovators, scientists and programmers,” said will.i.am. “I’ve met a lot of kids who are using math and science to do amazing things, but we need more kids to understand the power of these subjects to change their lives, to change the world. Wouldn’t It Be Cool If… inspires all kids to dream big and empowers them to use math and science to bring their idea to life.”
“In an effort to make science and math more exciting and appealing to young people, Time Warner Cable is excited to launch Wouldn’t It Be Cool If… as an extension of our Connect A Million Minds initiative,” said Katie Beardsley, Director, Community Relations for Time Warner Cable. “Our young people are the future generations of scientists and engineers that will help us continue to evolve and compete in the world economy.”
The signature partner for this effort, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, is the nation’s largest youth-serving organization and is working to get kids ideating in more than 4,000 Clubs. Youth submit ideas to the website, and those ideas are judged by a panel of experts, identifying three finalists. Additional partner FIRST will host the finalist presentation, to be held as part of the annual FIRST Robotics Championship this April in St. Louis. Finalists will present their idea to will.i.am, FIRST founder Dean Kamen and other influential judges. Finally, one winner will be selected to collaborate with Fahrenheit 212, one of the nation’s pre-eminent innovation consulting firms to have the opportunity to bring their idea to life.
Time Warner Cable has committed more than $100 million to addressing America’s declining proficiency in STEM through Connect a Million Minds, which aims to connect a million more students to hands-on, out-of-school science opportunities. To learn more about Connect a Million Minds, visit www.connectamillionminds.com.
“Time Warner Cable created Connect a Million Minds to address a critical issue facing the future of our nation,” commented Glenn Britt, Chairman and CEO, Time Warner Cable. “With the launch of Wouldn’t It Be Cool If…, we build on this commitment and continue our support of the President’s call to action of promoting STEM education among youth. In the spirit of Connect a Million Minds, we are doing so in a way that will promote creativity and fun for all kids.”
Wouldn’t It Be Cool If… contest submissions are now being accepted, and the deadline for entries will be March 28, 2012. More information about the campaign is available at www.wouldntitbecoolif.com.
Taken from a Time Warner Cable press release.
