The third-annual Digital Media and Learning Competition will award $2 million in support of participatory learning experiences that incorporate STEM principles. The competition launches Dec. 14 and winners will be announced in spring 2010. The competition, funded by The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, will be administered by a network of educators and digital innovators at “HASTAC” (the Humanities, Arts, Science and Technology Advanced Collaboratory).

Awards will be given in two categories:

• 21st Century Learning Lab Designers will receive awards for learning environments and digital media-based experiences that allow young people to grapple with social challenges through STEM-based activities. Digital media of any type (social networks, games, virtual worlds, mobile devices or others) may be used. Proposals are also encouraged for curricula or other experiences that link or connect to any video game, especially, but not limited to, Sony’s LittleBigPlanet™ on PlayStation®3.
• Game Changers awards recognize creative new games or additions to Sony’s LittleBigPlanet™. These games and game expansions should offer young people engaging game play experiences that incorporate principles of science, technology, engineering and math.

As part of their prize, awardees will receive special consultation support on everything from technology development to management training. Winners will be invited to showcase their work at a conference that will include venture capitalists, entrepreneurs, educators and policy makers seeking the best ideas about digital learning.

For more information about the competition, visit dmlcompetition.net.