WQED PITTSBURGH HOLDS WORKSHOPS TO ENCOURAGE LOCAL STUDENTS AND TEACHERS TO CREATE INNOVATIVE GAMES
Workshops in conjunction with the 2013 Global Game Jam in Pittsburgh will prepare students and educators to build original games in support of The National STEM Video Game Challenge
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
January 14, 2013
CONTACT:
George Hazimanolis
412-622-1366
ghazimanolis@wqed.org
Maria Pisano
412-622-1459
mpisano@wqed.org
UPDATE: This Workshop has been moved to Saturday, February 9 from noon to 6 PM at the Art Institute
PITTSBURGH – In an effort to innovatively encourage middle school students and teachers to use games as an educational tool, WQED will host workshops about creating digital games on January 26. These game design workshops, for students interested in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), are sponsored by Chevron Corporation. Information on WQED’s innovative efforts around gaming can be found at www.wqed.org/gaming.
“We hope to empower teachers and students with tools that can encourage problem solving and creativity while providing a new vehicle for classroom assessment,” says Jennifer Stancil, Executive Director of Educational Partnerships. “In the 21st century, we need new strategies to help our kids prepare for the future. Let’s meet kids where they are...playing games that are cooperative, help improve their self-confidence, and give them awe, wonder and creativity.”
In January 2012, WQED and its partners piloted a program that paired youth with game developers and gaming companies at the 2012 Global Game Jam (GGJ). The pilot workshop facilitated a winning entry, “Archers and Aliens” (out of 3700+ applications!) by local middle school students. In 2013, WQED will recruit students in grades 5 through 8 to participate in the workshops to be held Saturday, January 26 at The Art Institute of Pittsburgh. Students will learn about the game design process, try out design software, play-test games being developed by the professional designers at the 2013 GGJ, and learn effective strategies to enter the National STEM Video Game Challenge. Teachers may also be eligible for participation and Act 48 credit. Please email education@wqed.org for additional information.
WQED will also promote participation in the 2013 National STEM Video Game Challenge, in schools throughout the region. WQED Pittsburgh is collaborating with PBS, E-Line Media, the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, Schell Games, Carnegie Mellon University, and the Pittsburgh International Game Developers Association to hold local workshops in conjunction with the 2013 GGJ.
The 2013 GGJ in Pittsburgh is one of many global events being held for gamers to come together and build new, innovative gaming experiences for adults. GGJ will be held Friday, January 25 through Sunday, January 27 and located at The Art Institute of Pittsburgh (420 Boulevard of the Allies, Pittsburgh, PA 15219). Space is limited.
More information regarding the WQED’s gaming initiatives may be found at wqed.org/gaming or by contacting education@wqed.org.
About WQED Pittsburgh
WQED Pittsburgh has a proud history of honors, including 134 National and Mid-Atlantic Emmy® Awards, an Academy Award, and many, many others, including two Emmy® Awards for Station Excellence. WQED was founded in 1954 as the nation’s first community-supported broadcaster. The people of WQED create, produce and distribute quality programs, products and services to engage, inform, educate and entertain the public within their community and around the world. It is the parent company of WQED-TV (PBS); WQED: The Neighborhood Channel; WQED: The Create Channel; WQED Showcase; Classical WQED-FM 89.3/Pittsburgh; Classical WQEJ-FM 89.7/Johnstown; the Pittsburgh Concert Channel at WQED-HD2 (89.3-2FM) and online at www.wqed.org/fm; local and national television and radio productions; WQED Interactive (www.wqed.org) and iQ: smartmedia, WQED’s Educational initiative (www.wqed.org/edu).
About Chevron Corporation
Chevron is one of the world's leading integrated energy companies, with subsidiaries that conduct business worldwide. The company is involved in virtually every facet of the energy industry. Chevron explores for, produces and transports crude oil and natural gas; refines, markets and distributes transportation fuels and lubricants; manufactures and sells petrochemical products; generates power and produces geothermal energy; provides energy efficiency solutions; and develops the energy resources of the future, including biofuels. Chevron’s Marcellus natural gas operations are headquartered in Moon Township, PA. More information about Chevron is available at www.chevron.com.
About 2013 NATIONAL STEM VIDEO GAME CHALLENGE
The Cooney Center and E-Line Media are preparing for the third year of the National STEM Video Game Challenge. This year’s competition is open to middle and high school youth, who are invited to submit original game designs beginning in January 2013 for the opportunity to earn recognition and prizes for themselves, as well as monetary prizes for their schools.
New this year will be opportunities for mentors to get involved through a new website featuring toolkits, resources and curriculum. The site will also feature some exciting words of wisdom from top game design professionals, as well as offering a forum for aspiring youth designers to get feedback, advice and encouragement from pro mentors.
For more information on the prize categories, eligibility and streams for 2013 go to stemchallenge.org. To learn more about the many tools available to make a game and start designing checkout the Resources section!
This year’s all-star group of sponsors includes: the AMD Foundation, Microsoft’s Xbox 360, the Entertainment Software Association, the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and the HIVE NYC Learning Network, who will reach out to underserved youth across the country through hands-on game design workshops and other supplemental curriculum activities.
This year’s Challenge will also unite a corps of outreach partners and mentors who will be instrumental in supporting youth and teacher participation including BrainPop, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting PBS KIDS Ready To Learn Initiative, Learning Games Network and Edmodo.
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