A crash course in changing the world.


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Meet Jessica, a real power player: she invented a soccer ball that generates electricity when you kick it. Play a quick game of soccer with your friends, and you can power your household light for an entire evening.
Jessica tested her idea in South Africa and Kenya. Now she has her own company called sOccket to help her spread her big idea all over the world. And she's not the only young social innovator changing where and how we can get power.
Meet Hugo, born and raised in South Africa. He makes technology that allows anyone, anywhere to make electricity from dirt in their own backyard. To share his solution, Hugo started a company called Lebone -- pronounced [La - bo - ney] -- it's the Northern Sotho word for light, lamp, or candle.
Your LEARN mission this week is to figure out: Who else is inventing creative, sustainable ways to power our everyday lives? Find someone working on a creative electricity project, or a sustainable energy project -- and tell the network about their big idea.

Comment
Comment by Nathaniel G Madden on April 29, 2013 at 11:50am India is currently spending more on social innovation in this sector than the US and making far more progress. LEARN3
Comment by Eric Connor Lieberman on December 13, 2012 at 9:53pm Jessica's idea will deffently create a lot of energy, but so will Hugo's.
Comment by Clayton Broom on December 9, 2012 at 7:47pm Hugo's idea is a very innovative idea. The issue would be teaching people how to operate the power source. There is no way that every person in Africa would have the intelligence or technical expertise to make this work. As for Jessica's idea... It's certainly possible, but the issue would be how easily everyone including criminals could access energy.
Comment by Rob Brannan on December 6, 2012 at 3:54am Hugo's idea will change Africa. This will allow the various people in Africa with the ability to have energy. Also, this energy will provide the region with sustainable energy without having the adverse environmental impacts.
Comment by Brittany Pearson on December 4, 2012 at 9:36pm I think that Hugo has a REALLY good idea. Also, Jessica's idea could really change south Africa in a BIG way
Comment by Robert Breeser on November 30, 2012 at 12:00am Jessica's idea could really change the face of power because in places like South Africa, soccer is a sport played by many. By introducing sOccket to the people there, more people could get power.
Comment by Ellie Addington on November 4, 2012 at 8:37pm I love Jessica's idea! I think it is great that kids can have fun while being productive. I know that in some places it takes hard work to get electricity. Instead of mothers telling their children to go turn a heavy wheal or something like that, they can say go play soccer! That is great!
Comment by Brian Hill on November 2, 2012 at 1:58am I could not find any others, but I do love Jessica and Hugo's ideas. Just the pure creativeness of the ideas is amazing. I mean, how do they come up with this stuff? The big thing about sOccket is that soccer is the most-played sport, with over 250 million players worldwide as of 2000. Hugo's idea might be a little more successful because almost anyone who owns a home, which is well over the amount of soccer players in the world, which will result in more use of the product. Although, sOccket will get sponsored by FIFA and Nike,etc., and labone might succeed Scott's, MiracleGro, etc. in the soil/garding section. Overall, I think that both innovations will be extremely successful.
Comment by Steven Jackson on November 2, 2012 at 1:48am I think Jessica has a very good idea kids can stay fit and make energy.
Comment by Medardo Vazquez Cruz on October 19, 2012 at 4:52pm I think Jessica's idea is genius. It can help kids make energy for their while having fun. This idea could encourage kids to stay fit. I think this invention can change many lives.
Comment by Peter Thomas Duncan on October 19, 2012 at 2:15am
Comment by Peter Thomas Duncan on October 19, 2012 at 2:15am Jessicas invention could change many lives in Africa and people all around the world that favor sports.
Some ways you could make ideas better could be making easy ways to travel foods and water for the more poor people to survive. Jessica's invention could change our world deeply and we keep on innovating like her.
Comment by John Smith on October 19, 2012 at 2:12am Since I couldn't find anything on the online, I will say what I know. Many people are starting to use either different sources of energy or a new way to create energy. Jessica's and Hugo's ideas are amazing. Many people all over the world play soccer and just think how muck dirt and soil is in your backyard. These people are finding new, innovative ways to make energy for people who probably don't have as much.
Comment by Charles Schwartz on October 19, 2012 at 1:56am Jessica is a genius. I think her idea should also be used in other sports such as baseball, football, lacrosse, or even tennis. I cant believe how huge of an impact this has made on people's lives in South Africa and Kenya. I have a flashlight that only lights up if you twist it's lever. So by twisting the lever really fast for one minute it can shine light up to ten minutes. This is another great example of sustainable energy.
Comment by Martha Wilber on October 19, 2012 at 1:23am I couldn't find this online but everytime i drive to my grandmas house we pass this store in jasper GA called bikes adn trikes and they have electrics bikes and tricycles. They are like motorcycles but with three wheels. I think it's neat how they're advertising a greener way to commute!
Comment by Lauren Keen on October 19, 2012 at 1:17am I think Jessica's invention amazing. With a simple everyday object she changed the world. She made a huge impact on South Africa and Kenya without her they might not have electricity but with her invention they can sometimes electricity! That is a huge difference from where they were!
Comment by Olivia Koenig on October 19, 2012 at 1:07am I think that this is an amazing idea! It's incredible that students, just like us, all across the world, are finding out new ways to help the world be a better place. One example of another person doing something like this is the many inventors and innovators in Africa. They create new ways for African women and children to safely transport the water without using their own energy.
Comment by Jacky Martinez on October 18, 2012 at 10:26pm
Comment by Jacky Martinez on October 18, 2012 at 10:26pm
Comment by Jacky Martinez on October 18, 2012 at 10:26pm 
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