2013 STEM Video Game Challenge submissions now open

The organizers of the 2013 STEM Video Game Challenge, a nationwide contest for students to create video games, opened submissions for this year's contest, they announced today.

Now in its third consecutive year, the contest "aims to motivate interest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) by tapping into students' enthusiasm for playing and making video games."

Submissions are broken up into two categories: middle school students (grades five through eight) and high school students (grades nine through twelve). Students can submit entries as individuals or in teams of up to four, and use game-making platforms such as Gamestar Mechanic and GameMaker. Submissions will be accepted through April 24.

The STEM Video Game Challenge will choose winners in both categories for each creation platform. Each winner will be given an AMD-powered laptop, and their sponsor organization will receive a $2,000 cash prize. This year, the official sponsors include two newcomers, the Hive Digital Media Learning Fund and the Institute of Museum and Library Services, that are geared toward finding "underserved youth."

Today's announcement is accompanied by a relaunch of the contest's website.