BY KIDS FOR KIDS CO. AND XEROX LAUNCH NATIONAL “INVENTIVE THINKING” CAMPAIGN TO CATALYZE AMERICA’S NEXT GENERATION OF LEADERS

Scholastic Distributing “Inventive Thinking” Toolkits Free to Schools Across The Country

NEW YORK, NY, October 12, 2005 ‑ By Kids For Kids (BKFK) and Xerox Corporation (NYSE: XRX) yesterday unveiled the “Inventive Thinking” toolkit, designed for teachers to assist children in developing new inventions in the classroom.   Scholastic, the global children’s publishing, education and media company served as educational advisor in the development of “Inventive Thinking” Toolkits and will be distributing them to classrooms nationwide.

Russell Simmons, Chairman of the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network and Congressman Major R. Owens were among the celebrants at yesterday’s national Inventive Thinking Kick-off at the Scholastic Building in Soho.   “All stakeholders of education must find ways to unleash the natural creativity of our urban youth,” asserts Congressman Owens, “Resources such as those provided by BKFK, can be adapted in programs to close the excitement gap and inspire youth to aspire and achieve as they develop Inventive Thinking, a critically important 21st Century Learning Skill.”   Russell Simmons added “One of the greatest known Yogi’s, Yogi Sage said, ‘Anything you can imagine, you can create.’ We must cultivate the most important assets we have, our children, and anything that can empower them to imagine and create their dreams is something wonderful.”
The Inventive Thinking toolkit builds on The USPTO’s Project XL, a national partnership designed to encourage new science programs and to promote critical and creative thinking and problem-solving skills for all US school children.  Targeted towards children in grades three through twelve, each Inventive Thinking toolkit contains a teacher’s guide, a student guide,  an interactive learning DVD with individual sections for educators and students, an Inventive Thinking game poster and an example of a kid-invented product.

“The Inventive Thinking program engages young minds, inspires dreaming, and ignites the confidence and self esteem to manifest those dreams,” said Norman Goldstein, CEO and Founder of By Kids For Kids Co., “We believe this unprecedented program will nurture and motivate America’s next generation of designers, engineers, artists and inventors.”

The Toolkits are distributed with an extra emphasis on reaching out to traditionally underserved communities to help youth in these areas get excited about a future in science.  “To implement the future document services and solutions Xerox envisions, we must continue to hire the best and the brightest scientists and engineers, “said Xerox Chief Engineer Dr. Sophie Vandebroek.  “The Inventive Thinking campaign will help stimulate America’s youth in areas of math, science, technology, and engineering.”

The Inventive Thinking Toolkit offers a process to support existing curriculum in achieving national education standards and the No Child Left Behind mandate. The program was updated and aligned to national standards by an advisory board of inventors, educators, researchers and practitioners from around the country.  The efficacy of the program will be researched and measured by a prestigious team of researchers led by Dr. Linda Tsantis of Johns Hopkins University.

The entire program, including additional lesson plans, is also downloadable free of charge at www.bkfk.com

Students from City Lights Youth Theatre, a non-profit theatre arts organization for NYC youth, presented an original 12 minute musical at today’s Inventive Thinking launch.  Written to encourage young people to invent, the musical was created by David Austin and directed by City Lights Artistic Director Paula Meyer. City Lights Youth Theatre Teaching Artists work closely with educators and administrators in the New York City public schools. City Lights Youth Theatre’s mission is to provide young people from diverse backgrounds the opportunity to participate in theatre experiences in order to develop confidence, responsibility, teamwork and a greater sense of self and community. For more information about City Lights Youth Theatre, visit www.clyouththeatre.org

About By Kids For Kids

By Kids For Kids Co., a closely held corporation based in Stamford, Conn., is the sole leading company in America entirely dedicated to inspiring the innovative spirit within every kid.  By Kids For Kids Co. inspires and rewards kids for innovation excellence and encourages young people to pursue problem-solving in their educations and careers.  By Kids For Kids represents some of the most brilliant young minds in America. For more information about By Kids For Kids, visit www.bkfk.com.

About Xerox

Xerox Corporation (NYSE:XRX) is a $15.7 billion technology and services enterprise that helps businesses deploy smart document management strategies and find better ways to work. Its intent is to constantly lead with innovative technologies, products and solutions that customers can depend upon to improve business results. Xerox provides the document industry’s broadest portfolio of offerings. Digital systems include color and black-and-white printing and publishing systems, digital presses and “book factories,” multifunction devices, laser and solid ink network printers, copiers and fax machines. Xerox’s services expertise is unmatched and includes helping businesses develop online document archives, analyzing how employees can most efficiently share documents and knowledge in the office, operating in-house print shops or mailrooms, and building Web-based processes for personalizing direct mail, invoices, brochures and more. For more information, visit www.xerox.com.
About Scholastic

Scholastic Corporation (NASDAQ: SCHL) is the world’s largest publisher and distributor of children’s books and a leader in educational technology.  Scholastic creates quality educational and entertaining materials and products for use in school and at home, including children’s books, magazines, technology-based products, teacher materials, television programming, film, videos and toys.  The Company distributes its products and services through a variety of channels, including proprietary school-based book clubs, school-based book fairs, and school-based and direct-to-home continuity programs; retail stores, schools, libraries and television networks; and the Company’s Internet site, www.scholastic.com