SRC, Inc., AT&T, OCC and PEB to host 2^nd Annual CNY Innovation Challenge

Syracuse, NY – On April 7, 2018, Partners for Education and Business (PEB), SRC, Inc., AT&T and Onondaga Community College will host the 2^nd Annual Central New York Innovation Challenge at Onondaga Community College.

The competition aims to spark ideas to develop groundbreaking products or services, encourage students to follow science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) educational paths and foster entrepreneurship. Teams will pitch their solutions in front of a panel of judges to win cash prizes.

Opportunities like the CNY Innovation Challenge are important for regional youth because according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Labor, much of the growth in the domestic and global economy will come from STEM-related jobs – a highly lucrative and competitive field. It is estimated by 2020 there will be 2.4 million unfilled STEM jobs, underscoring the importance of providing the youth the tools and skills necessary to compete in the growing innovation economy.

The urgency for more STEM and computer science educated employees is accentuated by the low percentage of women currently employed at major technology firms (29%). The average percentage of women pursuing bachelors’ degrees for computer science is also just 18%.

PEB, SRC, AT&T and OCC are working together to spark innovation and entrepreneurship with students in Central New York, while promoting STEM careers. This competition gives students the opportunity to solve a challenging problem, network with industry professionals and improve presentation skills, while allowing business partners to build relationships with top local talent.

CNY Innovation Challenge Event Information

When: Saturday, April 7 – 8:00am- 2:00pm – (Awards presented at 1:30pm)

Where: Onondaga Community College - Academic Building #2

Registration Information

• Register at: http://www.cnystem.com/innovation/
• Teams must register online by February 16, 2018
• A Special Information Night will be hosted on January 31, 2018. Participants can register to attend the information night event when submitting their team registration.

Competition Information - http://www.cnystem.com/innovation/

• Participants will choose a problem in one of the following areas and pitch their team’s creative solution:
  • Create a product/service that would make your school life easier
  • Develop a way for students to save time/be more efficient
  • Invent a way to increase understanding of various concepts taught in class
  • And more (see website for complete details)
• Teams must have a minimum of two students and a maximum of four
• The Challenge is open to students in grades 6-12. There will be winners in two brackets: High school (grades 10-12) and middle school (grades 6-9)
  • The top team prize for the high school category is $1,000
  • The top team prize for the middle school level is $500
• Full rules can be found at http://www.cnystem.com/innovation/rules.html

About PEB

PEB collaborates with educators and businesses to “spark” student interest in STEM careers. Through the www.cnystem.com website, the various groups come together to provide information, events, and activities, including giving over $100,000 in scholarships.

About SRC

SRC, Inc. (@SRCScoop), a not-for-profit research and development company, combines information, science, technology and ingenuity to solve "impossible" problems in the areas of defense, environment and intelligence. Across our family of companies, we apply bright minds, fresh thinking and relentless determination to deliver innovative products and services that are redefining possible^® for the challenges faced by America and its Allies.

Since 1957, our commitment to the customer and the best solution – not the bottom line – has remained a core value that guides our efforts. This passion for quality carries through to the technologies we invent and manufacture, the laboratories and facilities we build, the people we hire, and communities where we work. Today, more than 1,200 engineers, scientists and professionals work together at SRC to protect our people, environment and way of life.