Are your students ready to unleash their creativity and coding skills? The National Science Foundation (NSF) is celebrating its 75th anniversary with the NSF Game Maker Awards, a unique competition that invites K-12 students to imagine life in the year 2100. Using any coding platform, students will design video games based on the theme “Life in 2100,” focusing on areas like sustainable ecosystems, futuristic cities and medical technology—topics that align with NSF-supported research. This competition is an exciting way to make STEM concepts more engaging and accessible for your students.
The competition encourages teams of up to five students to showcase their innovative thinking and game design skills. The deadline to submit games is January 2025, and the guidelines are straightforward: original work, no violence and all students under 18 must have parental consent. Teachers and librarians, this is a perfect opportunity to engage your students in a real-world challenge that fosters both creativity and problem-solving. Plus, prizes await not just the teams but their mentors as well!
Even if your students are new to coding or game design, the NSF has provided an excellent toolkit and webinar to help teams get started. The webinar, recorded on Sept. 10, 2024, offers valuable insights into the competition, including the rules and tips for beginners. With coding platforms they may already be familiar with, students can explore futuristic concepts in a fun, gamified way while developing their skills. Check out the NSF’s Game Maker Awards page to access the toolkit and begin mentoring your students toward an exciting project that merges technology and imagination.
Encourage your students to enter and bring their vision of 2100 to life through coding! It’s a fantastic opportunity for them to think critically, collaborate and innovate while exploring the STEM subjects that will shape their futures.
If you are interested in how to get your students into gamified learning today, sign up for “Game On: Exploring the Latest in Minecraft Education” or “Level Up: Learn How to Bring Game-Based Learning to Your Space” on our training schedule.