Advanced Micro Devices and Microsoft were among the co-sponsors who showed up at the White House Thursday, 17 Sept. 2010,Ã‚Â to applaud President Obama as he launched the National STEM Video Game Challenge.

Students grades 5 through 8 can compete for a cash prizes, as well tech gear from AMD and Microsoft.Ã‚Â Another competition is geared for college-age contestants; a top cash prize of $25,000 awaits the creator of the top technology with “high potential to reach underserved communities, such as games built for basic mobile phones that address urgent educational needs among at-risk youth.

This is another piece of the puzzle that should help shape a new generation of cybersecurity professionals highly trained and motivated to defend the Internet. This program joins the ongoing Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition and The University of Maryland University CollegeÃ‚Â first-of-its kind cybersecurity bachelorÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s and masterÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s academicÃ‚Â degree program that’s just getting underway this month.

LastWatchdog caught up with Allyson Peerman, corporate vice president of AMD Public Affairs and president of the AMD Foundation, just after the President announced the competition.

LW: So the concept here is to boost the cool factor of the sciences?

Peerman: The concept is to make learning about science and math more appealing for students, and a very effective way to get kids excited is through video game development. If kids think the contest is cool, thatÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s an added bonus.

LW: At the end of the day, how will you measure if these contests are a success?

Peerman: I think the success of this contest will be measured by whether we excite kids about learning math and science. Long term, if some of the contestants opt to pursue higher education and careers in math, science and engineering, then thatÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s an even bigger win.

LW: The U.S. leads the world in, well, chip technology, among other things. Yet we lag in teaching the basic sciences to our youngsters. How do you explain that?

Peerman: Young people are craving relevance in their math and science education, and I think we need to find ways to do a better job of providing that relevance. Some of the best in-school and out-of-school programs are helping kids make that connection and helping make it fun. ThatÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s one of the reasons AMD Changing the Game has been so effective; the programs weÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ve supported and enabled are making math and science relevant and fun for kids. ItÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s all about meeting young people where they are and inserting the learning on their own turf; in this case itÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s through video games.

LW: Do most CEOs of the top tech companies get that this is important?

Peerman: Absolutely. Tech industry CEOs know better than anyone how important it is to have a workforce thatÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s deeply steeped in math and science education. At AMD, for example, our success as a company directly depends on the strength of our engineering talent pool. AMDÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s primary co-sponsors for the National STEM Video Game Challenge are both tech companies, as well. And if you look at the roster of 100 member companies that joined Change the Equation, the tech industry is very well represented.

LW: How important has it been to have the President get out in front of this?

Peerman: ItÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s hugely important for the President to set the tone and raise the conversation to a level where itÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s getting a lot of focus.Ã‚Â People have been talking about improving STEM education in the United States for years, but we need concerted, cooperative efforts by enterprise, non-profits and public entities to move the needle. This is a national priority, itÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s a priority for corporations and itÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s a priority for students.

By Byron Acohido

September 17th, 2010 | Obama watch | Steps forward | Top Stories