Raise a Ruckus…Start a Movement

After years of being told not to raise a ruckus, HopeLab and Pioneer are inviting kids across the world (and those who are a kid at heart) to Ruckus Nation to do just that.

And what exactly happens in Ruckus Nation? With the goal of developing products that will combat the alarming increase in sedentary behavior and obesity among kids, Ruckus Nation is holding an online competition to gather the best ideas for products, games, gadgets and gizmos that will get middle school-aged kids moving. This one’s wide open – ideas could range from the next-generation hula hoop to an interactive video game to some new creation that the market hasn’t yet seen.

Why another competition? Because we’ve got to believe that there’s no better source from which to draw cool, creative products that get kids moving than from kids themselves…and from the parents, teachers, social networks, and other consumers that this competition will reach. More than $300,000 in prizes will be awarded, including a grand prize of more than $75,000. Even more exciting is the fact that HopeLab hopes to develop one or more of the winning ideas from Ruckus Nation into prototypes that will be tested to determine their effectiveness. Successful prototypes, if found to be appealing to kids and effective at getting them moving, will be turned into real products and distributed broadly.

If you just have a great idea you want to enter, make sure you register at Ruckus Nation by October 15th. They’re also looking for a wide range of competition judges – if you’re interested, click here .

This is HopeLab’s second big initiative around helping kids suffering from or at risk for chronic illness. Their highly successful debut was the release of Re-Mission, the cool, inspiring video game they developed for kids fighting cancer.

Edited October 3, 2007 to add:  see one group at work on its entry here.