Tag Archives: video game

2016 National STEM Video Game Challenge

Level up from video game player to video game designer!

Inspired by President Obama’s Educate to Innovate Campaign to promote a renewed focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education, the National STEM Video Game Challenge taps into middle and high school students’ passion for playing video games and motivates them to work as individuals or in teams to design and make original, playable games or written game design documents about any subject. Registration is now open and submissions are due by August 15, 2016.

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New this Year: Nat Geo Explore!

National Geographic is bringing the spirit of exploration to video gaming and sponsoring a new prize stream called Nat Geo Explore. This prize is open to any eligible design document or playable game submission that thematically expresses the spirit of exploration and adventure. Winners will have their games and game design documents featured on the National Geographic Education website, which reaches more than 1 million visitors a month, and also will receive additional National Geographic merchandise.

The National STEM Video Game Challenge.

Source: The National STEM Video Game Challenge

Video game training found to improve older brains

“Some video games are designed to foster a fun experience, while others are meant to educate. One 3D video game, which was at the center of a recent University of California, San Francisco study, was specially designed to enhance older adults cognitive abilities. Based on researchers findings, playing this game can improve seniors mental strength.In the study, which was published in “Nature,” researchers set out to see what impact playing their video game would have on participants between the ages of 60 and 85 years of age. Those who played the game had to navigate a race car around a winding track, while keeping an eye out for specific road signs. When these signs popped up, players were asked to press a button. Overall, the game required them to rapidly switch between tasks.While the game was difficult, the participants received training to make multitasking easier on them. The training proved very effective, as they were able to perform better than individuals in their 20s who were playing the game for the first time.Following the video game training, the participants saw improvements to their sustained attention and working memory. Ultimately, the study results show that the older brain can change.If adults play video games regularly and are curious to learn how this hobby has affected their cognitive abilities, it may be time for them to take an IQ test.”

via Video game training found to improve older brains.

Connecticut Video Game Education on the Rise

“The global video game market is projected to exceed $80 billion by 2017.

Connecticut’s portion of gaming industry revenues currently amounts to nearly $50 million a year according to the most recent study, “Video Games in the 21st Century: The 2010 Report,” released by the Entertainment Software Association.

With such a sizzling market, jobs for game designers, developers and the like are plentiful — but landing one of them is getting ultra-competitive. In fact, a recent CNNMoney report listed video game designer as the Best New Job in 2012.”

Read more @

http://www.hartfordbusiness.com/article/20130422/PRINTEDITION/304189911/on-the-rise-in-connecticut-video-gaming-education