'Wouldn't It Be COOL If...' You Could Change the World After School?

Afterschool for All Challenge registration has opened and to kick it off, in honor of last year’s National Afterschool Champion Dean Kamen, we’re issuing a challenge to all afterschool youth scientists to rep their afterschool programs and enter the new  "Wouldn't it Be Cool if..." contest to pitch their invention ideas to Dean Kamen and will.i.am. At last year's "Breakfast of Champions," Dean Kamen said our scientists should be treated like rockstars. Well, here’s your chance to hang out with one—and to tell him why he should help you change the world!

Time Warner Cable’s Connect a Million Minds has teamed up with i.am FIRST to get young inventors age 10-15 to put down on paper their ideas for inventions that can help "make life more awesome." Four finalists will pitch their ideas to a panel of celebrity judges including will.i.am and 2011 National Afterschool Champion and founder of FIRST Robotics Dean Kamen.  The grand prize winner will then team up with a leading innovation firm to make their idea a reality. Finalists will be determined partly through public voting, so browse submissions in the idea gallery and vote for the ones you think are most awesome.

Know of a problem that needs fixing? Chances are STEM will help you on your way to solving it. Ask around and see who can help you with your idea. How about a scientist working in a lab, or an engineer designing new gadgets? Special guest experts will also be commenting on contest ideas in the idea gallery to help refine submissions.

There are two tracks for the contest, one for kids ages 10-12 and another for 13-15 year-olds. You can enter as a team or as an individual. The deadline for submissions is March 28 so get those creative juices flowing and submit your idea today!