SEPTEMBER 19, 2016 (AUSTIN, TEXAS) – Globaloria, a leading provider of K-12 computer science education, announced today the national finalists of the 2016 Globey Game Design Competition and Awards. With a mission to train teachers how to integrate computer science education courses into K-12 curriculum and enhance students’ skills through standard-aligned game design and coding courses, Globaloria created the Globeys to recognize outstanding achievement in computational fluency, engineering, coding, teamwork and design thinking. Forty-seven finalists have been selected who will travel to Austin, Texas for the final competition and awards ceremony at the Texas State Capitol on September 24.
“Globaloria is a manifestation of the future of education. Its iterative design methods foster soft skills like teamwork, communication, and collaborative creative thinking, contributes to students’ well-rounded education,” said Dr. Idit Harel, CEO and founder of Globaloria. “As we prepare students for a new global economy where computer science and computational skills are the new literacy, the Globeys are an opportunity to celebrate outstanding achievement in these areas among this group of exceptional students.”
Narrowing down the forty-seven national finalists – 26 girls and 21 boys – from the 274 regional finalists announced on September 8, students hail from across the country from Queens, New York to Houston, Texas; Pryor, Oklahoma to Elkins, West Virginia; and Salt Lake City, Utah to San Jose, Silicon Valley. Thirty-two of the finalists are middle-school students (sixth, seventh and eighth grades and 15 are high-school students (ninth, 10th, 11th, 12th grades).
“We welcome this year’s 47 national finalists to Austin, and are delighted to host the Globey Awards Ceremony at the Texas State Capitol Theatre,” said Texas Former Commissioner of Education, Robert Scott. “Globaloria continues to stimulate Texas and the nation’s commitment to STEM and computer science education, opening doors to new opportunities, job creation, economic development and technological growth across the country. I am looking forward to presenting these Globaloria students with awards and prizes for their outstanding mastery of computing knowledge and innovation.”
The Globeys national finalists will have the opportunity to meet with education leaders, VIPs, and press at the Texas State Capitol at the National Awards Ceremony on Saturday, Sept. 24, from 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. At the ceremony, several educators and principals will also be recognized for their courage to learn and integrate computer science courses and projects across all subjects in their schools.
The 47 national finalists of the 2016 Globeys were awarded in nine categories, based on the specific courses they took during the 2015-16 school year. Three Sylvandale students were awarded in the following category:
Mobile Game-
Alexander G., Atomic Atoms, Sylvandale Middle School, Franklin McKinley School District, CA
Amy V., The Circulatory System, Sylvandale Middle School, Franklin McKinley School District, CA
Jennifer T., Circle of Life, Sylvandale Middle School, Franklin McKinley School District, CA