Teens: Do you have an idea that could make the world a better place? That's the aim of Science in Action, a $50,000 award sponsored by Scientific American as part of the Google Science Fair.

The award honors a project that can make a practical difference by addressing an environmental, health or resources challenge. Submissions should be innovative, easy to put into action and reproducible in other communities. In addition to the prize, Scientific American will fly the Science in Action winner(s) to the finalist awards event at Google's headquarters in Mountain View, Calif., in September 2013, and will establish mentoring for a year.

Ready to get inspired? The winning project in 2012 was the Unique Simplified Hydroponic Method, developed by two 14-year-old boys, Sakhiwe Shongwe and Bonkhe Malalela of Swaziland, in southern Africa. You can watch a video about their work and home above. (You can also learn about the science teacher who inspired them, Titus Mandala Sithole.) For more inspiration, can also check out last year's amazing 13 finalists for the Science in Action award.

The Google Science Fair has three age categories, for ages 13-14, 15-16 and 17-18. I'm one of the judges, and you can see information on all of our Science in Action judges just below.

Ready to go for it? Entries are due April 30, 2013. I am really looking forward to seeing your terrific ideas!

— Mariette DiChristina, Editor in Chief, Scientific American

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