Why is investing in our Youth important?

"The key to strengthening the U.S. economy and competing globally lies in fostering an innovative culture and educating America's youth in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Effects of investing in our youths ingenuity and education directly impacts the growth of our economy. Additionally, an increase in school graduation improves the quality of our labor force. The affects of an educated labor force appears in various economic indicators such as employment rates, small business start-ups, personal income earned during a life-time, housing values and manufacturing activity in a state. " Read more about this study


Become a part of the
change you want to see

Growth

What is Project Imagination?

Applicants

Inspire Our Youth

Project Imagination is a program structured to inspire our youth to develop a desire for innovation, and higher education. The ability to innovate products and services that are valued globally is essential to the future of our economy as they contribute to exports and eventually create jobs. To accomplish this it is important that we provide our children an education that includes a solid foundation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). It is equally important that our youth value innovation and acquire education in operating a business. Read More

Raise The Enthusiasm

According to this year's Lemelson-MIT Invention Index , an annual survey that gauges Americans' perceptions about invention and innovation, teens are enthusiastic about these subjects, with 77 percent interested in pursuing a career in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The focus of Project Innovation is on hands-on activities outside the classroom, which the Lemelson-MIT Invention Index revealed as one of the most effective ways to engage youth ages 12 through 17.


Develop a Desire

Research shows that mentorship plays an important role in teens' motivations to pursue a career in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). Some children are intimidated from pursuing professions in these areas due to lacking full understanding of the impact STEM professionals have on our Society,

Project Imagination affords direct access to STEM professionals while recognizing outstanding inventors and inspiring young people to pursue creative lives. Introducing students to STEM at a young age helps establish a link between everyday inventions and careers that improve our society and the U.S. economy.

Project Imagination engages the youth in events such as the Imagination Expo and programs such as the Genius Fun Fair where they can learn about Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) as well as provide the knowledge to open and run a business. The activities are held at places outside of the classroom where our youth can build and conduct experiments, in an effort to raise an interest in these subjects. Created by Farhad Omidwar

How does it work?

From Hope to Hire step by step

  1. Attend the Genius Fun Fair

    Attend the next event in your area consisting of seven zones: Science, Technology,

    Engineering, Math, Music, Art, and Language Arts.


  2. Choose a Discipline

    Identify a descipline (science, technology, engineering. math, music, art and language arts) of interest.


  3. Innovate, Create or Build

    Develop your ideas.


  4. Attend the next Imagination Expo

    Register your creation on Youtube to be featured at the next Imagination Expo.



  5. Win Prizes

    Enter the Imagination Expo competition to win $100,000 in awards and prizes.


How Does Our Youth Benefit
From This Program?

The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination.

Albert Einstein

Empowering Our Youth!

Confidence is the key to success and is developed when our youth experience personal achievements. Preparing our youth to succeed in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) lays the foundation for future success. Giving each student the opportunity to feel a positive sense of accomplishment and self worth is the direct benefit of this program for our youth. Read More

Job Search Engines
video

Get Back to Work Now Videos

View Get Back to Work Short Training Tips
Click to View


Events

Learn more about
the NEC events
See More

projects

Projects

Learn about NEC projects and how we advance our mission
See More


Employer Impact

Learn about the NEC system that improves employer/employee relations for small to midsized companies
See more

trends

Trends

View trends that affect the employment landscape within your community.
See More