National STEM Video Game Challenge Open For Submissions

Student submissions for original video games and game designs to the National STEM Video Game Challenge are open today. The national contest is presented by E-Line Media, the Joan Ganz Cooney Center at Sesame Workshop and the Smithsonian. The Challenge aims to motivate young people to be more interested in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) learning by using the power of playing and making video games.

Now in its fourth year, the competition is held in partnership with founding sponsor the Entertainment Software Association and the s support of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), The Grable Foundation, AARP, and Mentor Up.

The National STEM Video Game Challenge is accepting entries from U.S. students in two categories: Middle School and High School. The Middle School category is open to students in grades five through eight, while the High School category is open to students in grades nine through twelve. Both categories accept entries for individuals and teams of up to four students. Entries can be created using any game creation platform or a written game design concept document can be submitted.

Judges will select winners for each game creation platform in both categories. Each winner will receive a cash prize of $1,000, as well as game design and educational software. Each winner’s sponsoring organization will receive a cash prize of $2000.

The National STEM Video Game Challenge is accepting entries through February 25, 2015. Complete guidelines and details on how to enter are available at www.stemchallenge.org.