Kodu Cup Challenges Children to Create Video Games

Could video games be a learning experience for kids?You bet, especially if they are creating their own games! Today, Microsoft announced the launch of Microsoft Kodu Cup 2011 competition, inviting U.S. students ages 9 to 17 to design, build and submit their own video games. Kids can enter the competition and participate in the chance to win cash and prizes.

Using Kodu Game Lab, a free game-design tool, children use drag-and-drop visual icons to create 3D landscapes, worlds and characters. Developed by Microsoft Research, Kodu Game Lab is designed to promote learning skills for children while igniting their interest in future careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

President Obama discussed the importance of STEM skills in his State of the Union address in January, emphasizing that STEM-related skills are increasingly critical to remaining competitive in the word force and the world. Studies have shown that Kodu positively affects students in the classroom and the competition joins Microsoft's other programs, such as Imagine Cup, Partners in Learning and DigiGirlz, in commitment efforts to the STEM fields.

For more information on Kodu Cup, please visit the Microsoft News Center.