Project Paradigm (a private foundation), the American Red Cross, and a broad coalition of fire, youth, and educational organizations recently launched an annual youth competition to inspire positive change in the world. The first annual Paradigm Challenge aims to generate new ideas to prevent injuries and fatalities from home fires. Project Paradigm will award cash prizes of up to $100,000 to the top 100 teams.

Fire is everyone’s fight. Home fires kill more Americans than earthquakes, hurricanes, and tornadoes combined. Youth are invited to use science, technology, engineering, math, kindness, creativity, and collaboration to help save lives.

The deadline to submit ideas to help fire preparedness, prevention, detection, or suppression for 2015 was May 1. PP welcomed inventions, videos, posters, messages, community events, websites, games, apps, and any other solution that might help reduce the massive harm caused by home fires. Up to four members of the First Place and Grand Prize teams (and a parent or legal guardian for each member) will receive a trip to Los Angeles to attend The Project Paradigm Awards Ceremony.