In the endless quest to move the words “engage and empower” beyond just the latest buzzwords, the team at Summit Elementary school in the Forest Hills Schools in Cincinnati provides a unique opportunity for students to showcase their talents. What began as a “what if we…” statement has now evolved into an authentic learning experience embraced by students and teachers alike. This April (the day before spring break) Summit hosts its third annual Student Innovation Conference, a conference completely led by students! Students generate their own presentation ideas, prepare their presentations, and then share their knowledge with their peers and teachers. Just like any professional conference, the attendees (students and teachers) are able to choose which sessions they would like to attend. The conference takes some planning, coordination and trust up front, but the risk is well worth the reward. True engagement and empowerment is realized when students’ own creativity and curiosity is unleashed, and Summit’s Student Innovation Conference achieves this level of engagement.