AMD and Toronto-Area Middle School Strengthen Technology Skills through Game Design

Digital media effort includes computers, game design curriculum and teacher training

SUNNYVALE, Calif., April 23, 2014 /CNW/ - AMD (NYSE: AMD) and Lambton-Kingsway Junior Middle School are working together to help students learn critical Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) skills through video game and media development. AMD is providing access to state-of-the art HP ProBook notebook PCs as part of a mobile lab that can be used in classrooms.

AMD, in collaboration with E-Line Media, is also providing access to Gamestar Mechanic, an award-winning online game development platform that teaches youth to design video games. A professional development workshop facilitated by E-Line Media, publishers of Gamestar Mechanic, will be provided to teachers and includes hands-on instruction about making games and teaching game design with little to no programming experience.

"We believe that game design is a powerful medium for students to express their creativity and build valuable science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) skills to help them succeed in school and in life," said Hanif Mawji, director, AMD. "The Toronto area is increasingly recognized as a global center of excellence for digital technologies and media. This program provides an exciting, engaging way for students to gain skills that are in high demand."

"The new computer lab from AMD and game design curriculum from E-Line Media will enable Lambton-Kingsway Junior Middle School to implement an after-school game design club to introduce students to game design and spark their interest in STEM learning," said Kelly Caddel, principal, Lambton-Kingsway Junior Middle School. "The game design club will provide a unique outlet for students to learn about technology and maybe generate interest in future careers."

The Lambton-Kingsway Junior Middle School relationship is part of the AMD signature education initiative, AMD Changing the Game, a program that encourages youth to learn critical STEM skills by developing video games about social issues. Over the past two years, AMD has also been working with an area university and a national youth organization in Toronto to provide digital game development training for youth.

With employees across Engineering, IT and other critical functions, the AMD research and development center in the greater Toronto area (Markham) serves as a key site in the company's global leadership strategy for graphics, multimedia and software.

About AMD
AMD (NYSE: AMD) designs and integrates technology that powers millions of intelligent devices, including personal computers, tablets, game consoles and cloud servers that define the new era of surround computing. AMD solutions enable people everywhere to realize the full potential of their favorite devices and applications to push the boundaries of what is possible. For more information, visit www.amd.com.

About Lambton-Kingsway Junior Middle School
Lambton-Kingsway Junior Middle School is in Toronto, Canada. Lambton-Kingsway has enjoyed a long standing tradition of community involvement and educational excellence. The newly constructed building (1993) is the fourth school to be located in this community since the village of Lambton was founded. Dating back to 1845, Lambton Mills Public School was Etobicoke's first two-room school. The Lambton-Kingsway Junior Middle School is committed to promoting high academic achievement and fostering the social and emotional development of each student through collaboration, mutual respect and community partnerships.

About E-Line Media
E-Line Media (http://elinemedia.com) is a publisher of game-based learning products and services that engage, educate and empower, helping to prepare youth for lives and careers in the 21st century. E-Line works with leading foundations, academics, nonprofits and government agencies to harness the power of games for learning, health and social impact. E-Line's Gamestar Mechanic platform and curriculum (http://gamestarmechanic.com) has been used by over 500,000 young people in over 6,000 schools worldwide.

AMD, the AMD Arrow logo, Opteron and combinations thereof are trademarks of Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. Other names are for informational purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective owners.

Contact:
Dave Erskine
AMD Public Relations
289-695-0903
[email protected]

SOURCE: AMD

http://www.amd.com