LittleBigPlanet Used in Obama's STEM Initiative

IGN:In an effort to promote President Barak Obama's renewed focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math education (STEM), the Electronic Software Association (ESA) will join Sony, Microsoft, and a several other organizations in participating in two national video game competitions.

"Lifting American students from the middle to the top of the pack in STEM achievement over the next decade will not be attained by government alone," said President Obama. "I applaud the substantial commitments made today by the leaders of companies, universities, foundations, non-profits and organizations representing millions of scientists, engineers, and teachers from across the country."

One competition, Game Changers, will use Sony's LittleBigPlanet has a tool in creating new gameplay experiences that enhance STEM principals. Levels will be judged on criteria related to "participatory learning, the support of learning related to science, technology, engineering and math, and the degree to which assessment of learning is integrated into the learning experience itself."

Sony will donate 1,000 PS3s and copies of the game to libraries and community-based organizations in low-income communities. Winners will be announced this coming spring and the levels will be made available for download.