U.S. Department of Education
EdSim Challenge

This Wednesday, November 16th, we’re hosting an informational webinar from 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM EST to provide an overview of the EdSim Challenge and answer questions during a live Q&A session.  Topics covered will include the U.S. Department of Education’s vision for the role of educational simulations in career training, as well as the Challenge timeline, submission process, eligibility, awards, and criteria.

To join Wednesday’s webinar, please register here. Dial-in and log-in information will be sent in advance of the session.

For those unable to attend Wednesday’s webinar, a recording of the webinar will be posted later. Please check back here.

Thank you to everyone who submitted public feedback last year to inform the EdSim Challenge design. Your input about simulated learning subject areas, skill sets, technical considerations, and more has been invaluable in shaping the Challenge design. We are currently working hard to finalize the next steps in the Challenge.

To stay informed of all EdSim Challenge updates, please sign up for our newsletter here. We also encourage you to take a look at the other live prize competitions from the U.S. Department of Education that seek to prepare students for the high-skill, high-wage, and high-demand occupations of tomorrow:

• Reach Higher Career App Challenge – Launched in October 2015, the Challenge called upon app developers, educators, and data mavens to submit mobile app solutions that will help students navigate education and career pathways, including career and technical education (CTE). Five finalists advanced to the Virtual Accelerator phase of the competition to refine their solutions in preparation for a live Demo Day at the White House in July 2016. Please stay tuned for the grand prize winner announcement, coming soon!

• CTE Makeover Challenge – Launched in March 2016, the Challenge called on high schools to design makerspaces that strengthen next-generation career and technical skills. Makerspaces provide students the materials and environment they need to create, invent, tinker, and explore, helping them build vital career skills. Nearly 650 schools from all 50 states and Washington, D.C. entered the Challenge, and participated in the CTE Makeover Challenge Bootcamp to finalize their makerspace designs. 10 prize winners were announced at the White House during the 2016 National Week of Making, and are currently building out their spaces and preparing for a showcase at the World Maker Faire in October 2016.

Visit www.edprizes.com to learn more!

In 2016, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) will launch the EdSim Challenge, which will call upon the gaming, developer, and edtech communities to design simulated environments that prepare America’s students for a more competitive world through high-quality career and technical education.

Today, ED has launched a call for public feedback, which will help shape the Challenge design. You can submit your feedback through December 9, 2015 about simulated learning subject areas, skill sets, technical considerations, and more.

What’s the goal of the Challenge?

Simulated learning experiences, such as immersive gaming environments, virtual reality, and training simulations, represent an emerging class of instructional content delivery in education. Research indicates that simulation-based learning holds advantages for students in terms of information retention, engagement, skills training, and learning outcomes.

The Challenge will seek engaging simulated learning experiences that will help define the next generation of applied learning and pair immersive technologies with rigorous educational content and integrated assessment. Specifically, solutions should demonstrate the transfer of academic, technical, and employability skills.

What’s next in the Challenge?

Following the call for public feedback, ED will finalize the Challenge design. In Spring 2016, the Challenge will open for submissions.

Help us spread the word about the call for public feedback using #EdSimChallenge. We look forward to hearing from you!