[Rike255]

Sony Computer Entertainment America has joined President Obama's bid to assist our children in becoming more interested in the areas of education and invention/innovation.

The president's "Educate to Innovate" Campaign for Excellence in Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (Stem) Education seeks to open the minds of youngsters in new and improved ways, so the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation have decided to launch a $2 million open competition for any ideas that will help us "transform learning using digital media." SCEA, together with the ESA and Information Technology & Innovation Foundation, will team up with MacArthur to support Game Changers, "a new component of the competition." Basically, they're going to utilize the one game that always rewards innovation and creativity - the stellar LittleBigPlanet - and reward the best efforts in the area of level creation. SCEA will donate 1,000 PlayStation 3 machines, along with copies of the game to libraries and low-income communities. Said President and CEO of SCEA, Jack Tretton:

"We're thrilled by the opportunity to participate and support the Game Changer Challenge announced today. It casts a huge spotlight on the innovative medium that is video games and digital entertainment. It also embodies for us what we see everyday - - that amazing things can happen when you provide the right tools and environment, combine it with great technology, and put it in the hands of really creative people. More than 3 million unique users are actively playing, creating, and sharing user-generated levels in our LittleBigPlanet community and to date, more than 1.4 million unique levels have been uploaded to PlayStation Network. This sheer magnitude of imagination and shared learning is truly unprecedented. We’re extremely excited to have LittleBigPlanet and PS3 serve as the vehicle for this national competition and we greatly look forward to all the new innovations that will come out of this as a result."

You said it, Jack. This is a damn good idea, as far too many kids are left behind when it comes to science and math, and LBP can really help to get those "innovative" juices flowing. However, as I believe we're far more deficient in the arts these days, I'm kinda hoping Obama addresses that lacking at some point, too. Seriously, seniors in high school who can't spell?

Wow, just wow. That is a fantastic idea, what a great way to give to the community.