President Barack Obama today announced the National STEM Video Game Challenge, a campaign to promote and support student learning in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) by developing original games.

"Our success as a nation depends on strengthening America's role as the world's engine of discovery and innovation," said President Obama."I applaud partners in the National STEM Video Game Challenge for lending their resources, expertise, and their enthusiasm to the task of strengthening America's leadership in the 21st century by improving education in science, technology, engineering and math."The challenge will reward game developers in two categories: Youth Prize, for middle school students in grades 5 through 8, and Developer Prize, aimed at emerging developers to design games for children in grades pre-K though 4."Video games are improving and advancing the way Americans are living, working and playing," said Michael D. Gallagher, president and CEO of the ESA, the trade association that represents U.S. computer and video game publishers."The acknowledgement and appreciation of President Obama, our partners in this campaign and leading child advocates, is a strong endorsement of the amazing potential and benefit that games can have on children."The National STEM Video Game Challenge will accept entries from October 12, 2010 through January 5, 2011. For more information, head over to the official website