GEOSS Game Contest 3rd GEO Capacity Building Committee Meeting Tenerife – 2 February 2007

The proposal: Creation of a game / simulation that will capture the attention of multiple audiences and develop a greater understanding of the availability and benefits of using Earth observation information

The specific objectives: To provide broader visibility and understanding of the availability and benefits of Earth observation globally, particularly in a younger generation audience (in the year age range) in both developed and developing countries To stimulate participation and interest in Earth information systems To address the objective of encouraging greater involvement in engineering and science and, more particularly, in Earth observations by our next generation of engineers and scientists globally.

A two component programme is proposed: the principal component (C1) is a global competition the second component (C2) is a concept and process demonstration that precedes C1. The schedule for implementation allows a one year period of information and outreach to inform potential participants and sponsors of the programme before C1 is formally initiated.

C1: Teams from all over the world will be invited to participate in the principal contest. Each team will develop a game/simulation that will be reviewed and judged according to the following broad criteria: –Does the simulation/game convey the essence of GEOSS? –Is the simulation reflective of our audience? –Is the simulation simple and easy to use, by both developed and developing countries? –Does the simulation use information representative of real data? Does it incorporate live data? –Can the simulation be distributed to a culturally diverse population?

Prizes The team selected by GEO member and Participating Organization representatives as contest winner will receive, as a prize, a package of international trips for the team members to present their game at selected sites and for audiences around the globe.

C2: A feasibility study for a GEOSS game contest Demonstration and validation component of the programme is to prove the feasibility of developing a GEOSS-related game with support of the Earth Observation community. To be done in collaboration with DigiPen Institute of Technology (Redmond, WA, USA) and sponsored by the Boeing Company (and IEEE?). Students of the institute will be invited to create a game that will capture the attention of multiple audiences, particularly the younger generation to stimulate interest in GEOSS and Earth Information applications to Societal Benefit areas.

Schedule November Concept discussion and initial plan for C1 and C2 - Refine contest and concept approach for C1 and C2 Spring 2007 – Initiate C2 feasibility study September 2007 – Complete C2 feasibility study September 2007 – Complete the GEO community discussions November 2007 – Formally announce contest at Ministerial Meeting June 2009 – Simulation/Game submission and judging August 2009 – Announcement of contest winner September/October 2009 – Winning game release

Request to the CB Committee (J. Pearlman): To work under the auspices of the CBC To have one or two people or perhaps a small team from the CBC to help prepare for the current and longer term development Representation from a global perspective to support the insertion of cultural features in the simulations.