Clarks Summit Resident Advances to Finals of "Microsoft Imagine Cup" Technology Design Competition

PHILADELPHIA, PA (12/14/2011)(readMedia)-- A Windows Phone game to help elementary students enjoy learning math is just one of the brilliant concepts in the running for one of the top honors in computer science: The Microsoft Imagine Cup. These two innovative technology designs, both imagined and created by Drexel computer science students, rose to the top from a national field of competitors and earned first-round selection in the national technology design competition this fall.

The Imagine Cup is considered to be one of the most challenging technology competitions in the computer science community. Teams from across the nation compete in three categories: software design, game design and IT challenge. A second qualifying round will be held in the spring and, from the combined pool of finalists, champions will be selected in each of the categories to potentially represent the United States in the World Cup Competition.

Senior computer science major and Clarks Summit resident Keith Ayers is a member of "The Drexel Dragons," a group that is one of three finalists in the fall rounds for the "Game Design - Windows Phone" category. Ayers' teammates are computer science majors Taylor Mullen and Matt Lesnak. The team's project, "Math Dash," is a fast-paced game aimed at elementary-aged students, to reinforce math skills via an entertaining Windows Mobile Phone game. Design and development of this game is part of the team's senior design project, and they are working with area schools to field test it.

"Imagine Cup is arguably the most prestigious serious game competition in the nation and the world," said Dr. Frank Lee, co-director of the Drexel Game Design Program and the advisor of "The Drexel Dragons" team. "Many congratulations to the students as they advance in the competition."

The U.S. Finals will be held in Seattle in April, with winners advancing to the Worldwide Finals in Sydney, Australia, in July 2012.

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News media contact:

Stephanie Takach, Communications Associate, University Communications

215-571-4244, sct29@drexel.edu