National STEM Video Game Challenge

2017 STEM Challenge Winners Announced

The National STEM Video Game Challenge today announced the winners of the 2017 competition. This year’s winners include 23 middle and high school students who submitted original video games and game design concepts in platforms including GameMaker, Gamestar Mechanic, Scratch, and Unity. Visit the 2017 Challenge Winners page to learn more about the winners and their games.

Presented by the Joan Ganz Cooney Center at Sesame Workshop and E-Line Media, with founding sponsor the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), the STEM Challenge was launched in 2010 as part of the White House’s “Educate to Innovate” campaign. The challenge was designed to motivate interest in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) among youth by harnessing their natural passion for playing video games and inspiring them to design games of their own. This year, Games for Change sponsored a special prize for games designed to help players learn, improve their communities, and contribute to making the world a better place. The winners of the 2017 STEM Challenge and the related 2017 National Games for Change Student Challenge were also recognized at the Games for Change Festival in New York City today.

Since the challenge was launched in 2011, students have designed and submitted nearly 20,000 original games and game design documents over six competition cycles. “Not only are this year’s student winners remarkably accomplished young people, they are among the most diverse yet, and the games that they’re making include characters who look like them and reflect the diversity of the people who enjoy playing games,” said Mark German, president, E-Line Education. “We’re thrilled that the games for the STEM Challenge’s final year have been among the strongest yet.”

Each winner receives a cash prize of $1,000, a lifetime premium consumer subscription to Gamestar Mechanic, and the opportunity for a consultation with a game industry professional for advice on developing his or her interest and skills in design, engineering, or game-making.

New this Year: Games for Change Prize!

Through a new partnership with the Games for Change Student Challenge, there will be a new prize stream — the Games for Change Prize. This middle and high school prize is open to any STEM Challenge playable game submission — created by an individual working alone or in a team with up to four members — that was designed to help people to learn, improve their communities, and contribute to make the world a better place. Submissions will be evaluated on gameplay, creativity, and content. Visit the Games for Change Prize page to learn more.

Meet the 2016 STEM Challenge Winners

The 24 middle and high school winners of the 2016 STEM Challenge and Nat Geo Explore Prize were honored at an awards ceremony at National Geographic in Washington, DC on November 14, 2016, with top original video games and game design concepts selected in 18 categories from nearly 3,000 entries. Check out the winners and their games by watching the video below and visiting the 2016 Challenge Winners Gallery.