Greater Cleveland Area Students to Present Invention Ideas Relating to Fuel Cells and LCD Technology at CAAO 5th Annual Youth Career Day and Conference

Online, December 6, 2010 (Newswire.com) - The Consortium of African American Organizations (CAAO) is proud to present the 5TH annual Youth Career Day and Conference on Saturday, December 11, 2010, 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., on the campus of Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C, Metro Campus, 2900 Community College Avenue). The Conference, which will feature students in CAAO's 2010 Youth Innovation Forum (YIF), is free and open to the public, but online registration is encouraged at www.caao.net.

YIF serves as a unique educational opportunity for students between the ages of 10 and 19, to develop their talents to assist with idea generation for new products, fresh designs, and the latest creations. The primary purpose of the YIF is to cultivate future leaders and help bright young minds chart their own course to success. This annual program culminates at the annual Youth Career Day and Conference.

Sixteen YIF students from three different counties in the Greater Cleveland area have been working diligently for the past four months, in a series of four-hour long ideation sessions, researching and developing concepts related to Fuel Cell and Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) technology in conjunction with YIF sponsor, NorTech. A Fuel Cell is a device that generates electricity by a chemical reaction. An LCD is a digital display that uses liquid crystal cells that change reflectivity in an applied electric field. They are commonly used in televisions, computers, and watches.

"With technology playing such an important part in the future of our children, both on a national and global level, it's only natural that the students' innovations this year focus on technology," says Connie Atkins, Executive Director of CAAO. "When this year's program began, the students were charged with the task of generating approximately 1,000 product ideas tied to the participating sponsors. In the end, they were culled down to two. The YIF teaches kids to dream, to see the possibilities, and provides them with a roadmap to help them get there. I am so proud of all of this year's participants and the facilitators that worked with them." she said.

Approximately 200 local parents, students, teachers, business and community leaders are expected to attend the Conference, which will open with a complimentary hot breakfast and six breakout sessions, followed by an opportunity to hear the special presentation on the final product concepts from the YIF class of 2010. This year CAAO partnered with NOCHE (Northeast Ohio Council on Higher Education) to bring 16 colleges and universities to the conference. Therefore, parents and students will also have the opportunity to learn about regional educational opportunities, including college preparation and how to secure financial assistance. The keynote speaker for the event is Kent Wise, a Success Coach and Sales Expert, and Owner of Wise Enterprises and Founder of the Positive Impact program.

The Youth Career Day and Conference is sponsored by Cuyahoga Community College, Forest City Enterprises, Steel Foundation, PNC, NEORSD, Medical Mutual of Ohio, Dominion, The Swagelok Foundation, DB Consulting Group, Inc., NorTech, Shearer's Foods, RPM International, Kaiser Permanente, Canon Business Solutions and NOCHE. The facilitators who worked with the kids each week include: Monika K. Moss, Renee Whiteside, Juanda Taylor, A.T. Patil, Rohan Patil, and Eric Clark. Says Atkins, "Through CAAO, our YIF facilitators and our community partners, we strive to promote innovation, creativity, and excellence, while simultaneously building creative thinkers and developers out of prospective consumers."

For more information on registration and sponsorship opportunities, please contact 216-432-9481 or visit www.caao.net.