Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Youth can record a podcast for a chance to win an iPod Touch

Local youth are invited to interview an entrepreneur and submit a podcast to the NextGenSSM Podcasting Contest


May 11, 2009: Students in the Algoma region are invited to participate in the NextGenSSM Podcasting Contest for a chance to win an iPod Touch. Hosted by the Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre (SSMIC) in partnership with the Ministry of Small Business and Consumer Services, youth in the Algoma region between the ages of 11 and 18 in grades 6 to 12 can participate by recording a 2 to 5 minute podcast featuring a local entrepreneur. Audio and video podcasts can be submitted to SSMIC by May 18, 2009.

The NextGenSSM podcasting contest aims to teach youth about the successes of local entrepreneurs, what it takes to be an entrepreneur and ignite their interest in entrepreneurship while engaging them in a new technological medium.

“Many local youth are unaware of the successful entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship opportunities that exist in the Algoma region,” said Tom Vair, executive director, SSMIC, “By participating in the NextGenSSM Podcasting Contest, students have the opportunity to interview a local entrepreneur and share their experiences and findings with other youth in a fun and engaging medium.”

SSMIC has audio and video podcasting recording equipment available for students to use and can also help participants connect with a local entrepreneur. Entering the NextGenSSM Podcasting Contest is easy as long as entrants follow the three simple steps on the website: “Plan it. Record it. Submit it.” Participants are also asked to have their entrepreneur sign a media release form giving them permission to publish their podcast. SSMIC asks that completed podcasts are uploaded to www.podbean.com. Following upload, participants can enter the contest by emailing SSMIC the Podbean URL of their podcast. Participants must also forward the necessary media release papers to SSMIC. A podcasting guide, sample questions and instructions for the contest are available online at www.ssmic.com/nextgen.

There is also a full teacher’s guide available online for teachers who wish to make the NextGenSSM Podcasting Contest into part of a class assignment.

The NextGenSSM Podcasting Contest is part of SSMIC’s New Possibilities program in partnership with the Ministry of Small Business and Consumer Services’ Youth Entrepreneurship Partnerships Program. For 3 years, SSMIC has been delivering classroom presentations to students in grades 8 to 10 in the Algoma region. The presentations teach students about the option to become an entrepreneur and highlights local success stories in the science and technology sectors.

For questions about the NextGenSSM Podcasting Contest or to schedule a classrooom presentation, contact Marla Guzzo, Marketing Specialist at mguzzo@ssmic.com or 942-7927 x3130.

-30-

About Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre

The Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre was founded in 1999 as a catalyst for economic development activities in the IT, science and knowledge based sectors in the Algoma District. It works closely with community partners to enhance and improve science and IT sector opportunities.

The Innovation Centre is focused on three core areas: the operation of a business incubator to encourage the establishment and growth of technology start-ups; the provision of support services to the SME (Small to Medium Enterprise) IT community and the development of strategic markets such as the highly successful GIS project. The Innovation Centre has developed and implemented an award-winning GIS product, which serves a number of municipal customers and is responsible for the growth of private sector GIS firms in the Algoma District.

Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre
1520 Queen Street East, NW 307
Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 2G4
Telephone: 705-942-7927
http://www.ssmic.com
http://www.itssm.com