ETC student project, Team Osiris and the Plaid Parliment of Pwning are happy to announce the launch of PicoCTF, an online computer security competition for 6th - 12th grade school students.
With the game - Toaster Wars, the first of ten of days of competition saw more than 900 teams of students enjoying the new perspective of computer science education.
Toaster Wars has four levels with distinguished problem difficulty. Starting with advanced math, pattern recognition, and logic to ending with complex hacking scenario problems crafted by the CMU Hacking team or, Plaid Parliament of Pwning.
As the competition started at 10 am EST April 26, 2012, many middle and high students are already learning lots about computer science and security. Visit the picocft web site to see out how well they are doing on the scoreboard.
PITTSBURGH-Two Carnegie Mellon University student-run teams will host the first picoCTF, a computer security competition running April 26 to May 6 that challenges high school students to learn the basics of hacking in the context of a story-driven game.
"The story of the Internet competition begins when a robot from outerspace crash lands in your backyard, it's up to the game competitors to use their hacking skills to fix the robot and uncover its secrets," said David Brumley, the Gerard G. Elia Career Development Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.
Brumley said the competition is open nationwide to students in grades 6-12. Interested participants can register for free on the competition website at http://www.picoctf.com/. PicoCTF is unique in its adventure game-oriented approach to computer security.
The competition is designed by the Plaid Parliament of Pwning, a CyLab computer security research team made up of CMU students and staff, and Team Osiris from CMU's Entertainment Technology Center (ETC-Global). ETC-Global offers a master's program canvassing several disciplines, including artists, game designers and programmers.
While most computer security competitions focus on security experts, Brumley said that picoCTF is different in that it is designed to pique student interest even if they are novices, while still providing challenges to experts. Students participating get hands-on experience in security topics such as cryptography and codes, computer bugs, exploits, and defenses.
"The typical defensive competitions end up with competitors merely running through checklists but CMU's challenge is heavily focused on exploration and improvisation with elements of play," said Brumley, faculty adviser for the CMU's Plaid Parliament of Pwning, which participates in Capture the Flag (CTF) competitions - CTFs are a type of computer security war game in which teams compete to find digital "flags" by solving a litany of hacking challenges. CTF teams from CMU have won hacking honors at competitions in South Korea and New York.
U.S. Army TATRC, Carnegie Mellon University, and Parallax Inc Announce - 2013 National microMedic Contest
Inspiring Open-Source Health and Medical Simulation Innovation
Rocklin, CA - The U.S. Army’s Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center (TATRC), Carnegie Mellon University Entertainment Technology Center, and Parallax Inc are offering over $25,000 in prizes to inspire the next generation of medical innovation. The 2013 National microMedic contest is an opportunity to show the country what citizens can do with new technology - encouraging technical innovation with significant use of micro controllers and sensors in the medical industry. This contest is perfect practical application for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) students around the nation.
The 2013 National microMedic Contest will create significant interest around new open-source medical applications. TATRC’s Dr. Brett Talbot, Medical Simulation Portfolio Manager, says about the contest “we’re looking for micro controller-based projects for the health and medical simulation community that combine the latest use of sensors, 3D printing, CNC and science disciplines. This is a call to action for inventive people to put our skills to use for the benefit of Army personnel and civilians.”
Inventors and students are encouraged to participate by creating medical applications and products for possible use in the healthcare industry, medical simulation training, and the battlefield. STEM teachers are encouraged to get their classes involved. Over 100 free contest kits valued at over $40,000 will be given away on a first come first serve basis to qualified applicants. Use your favorite micro controller or apply to receive a free kit that includes either the Parallax multi-core Propeller chip or a shield for use with the Arduino micro controller. The kit also contains various sensors, LED displays, infrared emitters, a blood pressure cuff, heart rate monitor and many other components to spark your imagination. Use of the official contest kit is not required to win.
To help get competitors started Parallax Inc. is hosting resources such as mini tutorials with code examples for sensors, lists of application ideas and an online discussion forum specific to the microMedic National contest where contestants can ask questions and collaborate.
Click here for rules and application and Project Ideas
Congratulations to Josephine Tsay, ETC second year student for winning the Mark Beaumont Scholarship
2012 AIAS Foundation Scholarship Winners Revealed
[12-September-2012]
Randy Pausch and Mark Beaumont Scholarships Granted to Next Generation of Video Game Makers and Leaders
CALABASAS, Calif., Sept. 12, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences (AIAS), the professional video games organization advancing the artistic values of the interactive entertainment community, has announced the winners for its annual scholarship programs. Four recipients – Kyle Field ( University of Wisconsin Stout), Girish Balakrishnan ( Drexel University), Josephine Tsay ( Carnegie Mellon University) and Jonathan Wine ( George Mason University) -- will receive a total of $10,000 ( $2,500 to each recipient) through the Randy Pausch and Mark Beaumont scholarship funds. The scholarships are awarded by the AIAS Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the organization.
"The AIAS Foundation scholarships are at the core of our mission to support the development of new talent in the games industry," said Don Daglow, president, AIAS Foundation and president and creative director, Daglow Entertainment. "Future creative teams will invent completely new kinds of games, and both Randy Pausch and Mark Beaumont deeply believed in that power of pursuing great dreams. This year's finalists represent the inspiring spirit of those two leaders."
"It is truly our honor to support the next generation of game makers and leaders of our industry," said Martin Rae, president, Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences and board member, AIAS Foundation. "With the new technology and platforms available to video game developers, the possibilities for the next generation of game makers and leaders are endless. We look forward to seeing the creative and brilliant games that our scholarship recipients will be producing."
The Randy Pausch Scholarship was established by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences in 2008 to honor the memory of Computer Science Professor and Co-Founder of the Entertainment Technology Center at Carnegie Mellon University, Dr. Randy Pausch. The scholarship has been established to support students who are pursuing careers specializing in the development of interactive entertainment. Kyle Field and Girish Balakrishnan are this year's recipients of Randy Pausch Scholarships.
"I would like to thank everyone involved with the Randy Pausch Scholarship for this generous award," said Kyle Field. "Whenever a student is able to earn a scholarship like this, it shows that there are people who believe that what that student has chosen to do has significance, and it shows that those people believe in that student's potential. I am very grateful for this incredible gift and support."
"To be recognized by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences, let alone being a recipient of an award created on behalf of such an influential & inspirational contributor to the field of Digital Media, Randy Pausch, is definitely a great honor in itself that I am sincerely humbled to receive," said Girish Balakrishnan. "In difficult economic times, I am grateful that organizations such as the AIAS support the next generation of young creatives and innovators that help shape this growing field. This award is further validation in both my Drexel University professors' tutelage and, most importantly, my family's love & support of my dreams, however crazy they may be."
The Mark Beaumont Scholarship was established by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences in 2010 to honor the memory of COO of Capcom North America and Europe, Mark Beaumont. This scholarship has been established to support students who are pursuing careers specializing in the business of interactive entertainment. Josephine Tsay and Jonathan Wine are this year's recipients of Mark Beaumont Scholarships.
"I once promised my 8-year-old self never to forget what it was like to wonder, and to dream," said Josephine Tsay. "I'm truly grateful for the opportunity to lead in a way that hopefully inspires others to do the same. Whatever you find worthwhile in life, is worth fighting for!"
"I am tremendously humbled and honored to be a recipient of the Mark Beaumont scholarship," said Jonathan Wine. "Mr. Beaumont was a wonderful example of a leader in the video game industry, and I truly hope to follow in his footsteps as I travel down my own path. Thank you for this incredible opportunity."
SOURCE Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences
For the first time ever, the public has been invited to vote on four robots for induction into the Robot Hall of Fame ©. The robots will be inducted in a ceremony October 23, 2012, when they will take their place alongside of such notables as NASA's Mars Sojourner, Honda's ASIMO and Star War's R2-D2 and C-3PO.
People can vote for one robot in each of four categories: Education and Consumer; Entertainment; Industrial & Service; and Research. Voting will continue through September, 30.
In 2012, the Robot Hall of Fame(RHoF) altered its selection process. Rather than impanel a set jury, RHOF officials surveyed 107 authorities on robotics from industry, academia and elsewhere, inviting them to anonymously nominate robots in four categories. The top three nominees in each category were then placed on the ballot for induction and the public was invited to vote online for one nominee in each category. The final decision on inductees is based half on the public vote and half on the survey of experts.
“The technology and art of robotics are advancing at an increasingly rapid rate and so the Robot Hall of Fame also must evolve,” said Shirley Saldamarco, RHOF director and a faculty member at Carnegie Mellon’s Entertainment Technology Center. “As more students, workers and consumers become accustomed to robots, it seems like a natural step to give the public a voice in selecting inductees.”
Created in 2003 by Carnegie Mellon University, the RHoF recongnizes excellence in robotics technology. It honors both the fictional robots that inspire innovation and the real robots that embody it. In 2009, it was intergrated into Carnegie Science Center's roboworld™ exhibit.
To vote for one robot in each category, click here.
To purchase tickets for the Robot Hall of Fame induction ceremony, click here.
The RHoFa induction is sponsored by Carnegie Mellon University, the ETC, Carnegie Science Center, the Pittsburgh Technology Council and RoboBusiness.
