Throughout the school year, elementary, high school and college students will learn about science in a fascinating virtual world. They need to accumulate as many neurons as possible to move their avatar along and help their school win.

A sneak preview of the contest was launched early this fall with the collaboration of some 10 schools and Agendas scolaires du Québec, which even published clues in its student agendas. Since then, about 50 schools have joined in the race for neurons. And this is just the beginning. Posters have been sent to 5,000 French-language schools across Canada.

With the official contest launch, CREO has finally announced the prizes that will be given to the best players and the most active schools. In all, 17 sponsors have joined in to offer a fabulous collection of prizes with a total value of nearly $15,000. Polytechnique added five university admission bursaries to the mix and five Folie Technique day camp registration passes. The best neuron-hunter will even get a celestial gift: a star named after him or her! The schools themselves can also win class trips to various museums and science centres.

It's easy to enter. Kids just need to create an avatar at http://www.science-en-jeu.ca. Next, they link their avatar to their school's account. And then the fun begins! Students can earn neurons by carrying out successful missions, answering quiz questions and watching science videos. A number of quests come with free teachers' guides meant to be used in class to help instruct physics, math, chemistry, social studies and even French, ethics and religious cultures classes. To get more neurons, the students can manufacture toothpaste, fight environmental catastrophes, take part in debates about social issues and even plant a virtual forest. Will your school, or your avatar, appear in the top rankings by the end of the school year? The winners will be announced on June 7, 2012, at noon. Good luck!

Polytechnique wishes all the young scientists the best of luck, and hopes their curiosity about science will be permanently awoken!
 

To find out more about CREO

For 10 years now, CREO Inc. has produced and distributed innovative, multiplatform science popularization tools to assist its partners in developing their educational, communications and marketing activities. CREO creates high-quality games that stimulate interest and foster the development of intelligence while encouraging academic success. Since December 2001, CREO has worked with businesses, government departments, museums, industry task forces, foundations, and teaching institutions to explore new ways of communicating, informing and educating. Its Game for Science platform (http://www.gameforscience.com/) is inspired by popular virtual worlds and aims to foster kids' interest in science. New media offer extraordinary opportunities for reaching a wide range of audiences. Thanks to the collaboration of its 25 partners, the site attracts 35,000 visits a month, a rate that doubles every year.


Source: CREO