The hit PBS show challenges kids to turn materials from their recycling bin into the next great green invention.

Your kids' ability to envision something made from recycled materials could be their ticket to appearing on TV! The PBS series Design Squad has challenged kids aged 5-19 to spend this summer reusing, recycling, and re-engineering everyday materials into a new invention. Three of the entries will win a trip to Boston to see their designs built, and may even appear on the Design Squad show.

”This is an opportunity for kids to give a second life to an object they or their household would have otherwise discarded.” - Marisa Wolsky, Design Squad executive producer

The guidelines are straightforward. The design can be in one of three categories: Mobility (moving people or things), Play (outdoor or indoor), or Environmental (protection of the environment), and must be built with at least two materials that have been repurposed.

”Look at the world around you for inspiration. What problems do you see that your invention could help solve?”

Three winners will be chosen to come to Boston and work with the design consultancy firm of Continuum to see their idea built out and come to life. If the stories are compelling enough, they may be shown to a national audience on Design Squad. Twenty-five other finalists will have their ideas featured on the Design Squad website and will also receive a free t-shirt.

The winner from last year was Max Wallack, 13, who invented the "Home Dome", a temporary shelter for disaster victims or homeless people made from plastic bags and styrofoam peanuts. He had this advice for this year's entrants:

"Identify a problem and then try to come up with a solution to it. Be prepared to make several attempts at designing before one design jumps out as the right one."

Don’t worry if your child doesn’t have the skills to completely construct their design. Kids don’t have to build their invention to enter, but can upload a photo if they do, or just sketch out their ideas online.

The number of entries per child is unlimited, but each one must be submitted separately. Due date for entries is September 5, 2010 and the official rules and entry forms are at PBS Kids Go! Design Squad.