The Lemelson-MIT Program’s 5th annual EurekaFest kicks off Wednesday. The four-day event celebrates youth innovators and their role models.

When: June 15-18

Where: Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge and at the Museum of Science in Boston

Among the student teams showcasing their inventions:

Omaha North High School, Omaha, Neb.

The Omaha North High School InvenTeam has invented a fuel-efficient cooking system for use in Madagascar that will help prevent deforestation and wildlife habitat destruction.  This cooking system, called Telo Hevitra, includes a grinder to reduce weed-like vegetation  to manageable small pieces, a press to efficiently shape these materials into fuel briquettes, and an improved stove that will use less energy to maintain its temperature than the stoves currently being used in Madagascar.

The Smithtown High School West, Smithtown, N.Y.

The Smithtown High School West InvenTeam has invented a tracking device that positions a solar panel to receives direct sunlight for the entire day.  The key feature is a simple comparative circuit that uses two photo resistors to provide a signal to a transistor H-Bridge, which drives a small DC motor.  This small, portable tool is able to charge a battery throughout the day, which can be used for nighttime  lighting and cell phone charging by people living without electricity.

West Salem High School, Salem, Ore.

The West Salem High School InvenTeam has invented a pressure-sensitive pen to be used by elementary students to learn to write while under parent, teacher or therapist supervision. It teaches students not to squeeze too hard while writing, preventing poor writing habits that can cause muscle injury. The device is the size of an average pen with pressure indicating lights. It will be used as a personal device in schools or at home. The estimated market price is $30.

Pike Central High School, Petersburg, Ind.

The Pike Central High School InvenTeam has invented a lightweight, portable disaster-relief shelter. It weighs less than 200 pounds and is sold for less than $500. It can be used after disasters such as hurricanes, earthquakes, floods or tornadoes to house people who have been displaced. The shelter also includes a water purification system and a renewable energy power source for an LED light.

Outstanding collegiate innovators, including those from MIT, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and the California Institute of Technology, also will be there.

For more information, visit http://www.eurekafest2011.org/