By Kids For Kids (BKFK) Announces Statewide Winners Of
the 2008 Maryland Challenge

Teens in Maryland Win BKFK Statewide Competitions for Innovative
Creative Fashions and Eco-Friendly Products and Solutions

Left to Right:  Laura, 3rd Place Maryland Winner, Norman Goldstein – CEO, BKFK, Dr. Nancy Grasmick – Maryland State Superintendent of Schools, Edward, 1st Place Maryland Winner, Van Reiner – President & CEO, Maryland Science

Baltimore, MD (June 5, 2008) – By Kids For Kids (BKFK), the youth creativity specialist, announced yesterday, at the Maryland Science Center, the statewide winners of the 2008 Maryland Challenge.. Youth from across the state of Maryland were challenged to enter their ideas in 4 categories: Going Green, Signature Style, Sports Evolution and Digital Arts. The top entries across all 4 categories were honored at today's award ceremony.

In the Going Green category, Edward Liang, a 12 year old from Boyds, MD was awarded the first place distinction for his Acid Rain Cloud Seeding. While in science class, Edward studied the environment and global ecosystems including the topic of acid rain. The topic inspired him to take action to help with this problem. He determined that by using appropriate bases as cloud seed chemicals, the acid in the clouds can be neutralized and the destructive effects of acid rain would decrease.

Bianca Chambliss, an 18 year old from Frederick, Maryland secured the second place distinction with her "Bag It" invention. Witnessing first hand the amount of particulate matter thrust into the air by leaf blowers, Bianca grew curious about the possible effects on air quality and consequently on negative health issues that this type of equipment might cause. She developed a solution that used reverse airflow and thus, greatly diminished the amount of air-borne particles. Once inside the Bag It, grass and trash can be filtered, compacted, and be readied for disposal, all without adversely affecting air quality.

Frederick Maryland's Laura Singleton, age 13, captured the third place honor with her "Modest Clothing" invention. Laura wanted to find a modest cute bathing suit for the summer that would be youthful, stylish and flattering while not too revealing. She had previously found it difficult to find appropriate clothing for all size teens and discovered the pages of a teen fashion magazines to be unhelpful as well. Laura was keenly aware that girls of all sizes should have clothes that fit properly and emphasize their personality, intelligence and sense of style, while not over emphasizing their bodies. Laura created a line of clothing that is designed to be less revealing and tight-fitting, and can be enjoyed by girls of all ages and sizes.

"We feel a special connection with the state of Maryland, having launched our BKFK Inventing Thinking Program here as well as sponsored two previous statewide creativity challenges," commented Norman Goldstein, the Founder and CEO of BKFK, "It's great to see that Maryland is still producing impressive youth innovators, who will lead our nation in the future."

First placed winners were presented with a new laptop, second place winners received an iPod Shuffle and third place winners received an mp3 player. All winners from the Maryland Challenge are still eligible to compete in the national versions of the competitions, where the grand prize winners of each competition will receive $10,000 and unique "Connections to Reality." Presenting sponsors of the statewide competitions in Maryland include: Tessco Technologies, Edison Venture Fund, and The United Inventors Association (UIA), Participating sponsors include: Whiteford, Taylor & Preston LLP, and The Daily Record.

About By Kids For Kids Co.
By Kids for Kids® (BKFK®) is a youth marketing and media company partnering with the worlds' leading corporations to provide a platform to foster, share, showcase, and commercialize youth innovation and entrepreneurship. Their mission is to inspire, motivate and stimulate the innovative spirit within all young people.

The closely held Stamford, CT-based corporation has been dedicated to making youth ideas a reality since 2003. Thru its website (www.bkfk.com) and its social community (Idea Locker™), online competitions, TV show (Think Big™), Magazine (Possible™), press, and education outreach the company engages youth in the US and around the world. BKFK® youth-created products are available nationally and serve as a testament to the power of youth innovation and social entrepreneurship.

More information about the company and its successes helping young innovators is available online at www.bkfk.com 

Media Contact: John Forrester
323-702-3684
media@bkfk.com

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