2010 Cooney Center Prizes for Innovation in Children’s Media

The goals of the Cooney Center Prizes for Innovation were to identify, inspire, nurture, and scale breakthrough ideas in children’s digital media and learning. The program awarded cash prizes and provided ongoing business planning support and mentorship to a new generation of children’s media entrepreneurs and visionaries.

Prize Categories

In 2010, the Joan Ganz Cooney Center and Sesame Workshop challenged innovators nationwide to submit applications in the following prize categories:

• Breakthroughs in Mobile Learning
  In 2010, applicants were invited to submit projects that push the current boundaries of mobile learning. The winner received $50,000 to put towards the development of their project, as well as other supports that will help scale the project.Teams presented Quick Pitches at the E3 Expo in June 2010.

  The winning team was Project Noah. Finalists included Motion Math, Toontastic, and Mobile Technology for Sustainabile Literacy.

• Breakthroughs in Literacy Learning: Innovate with The Electric Company
  Applicants were invited to submit ideas for a digital media experience that will promote literacy learning among struggling readers using Sesame Workshop’s revival of the iconic literacy show, The Electric Company. The winner received $10,000 and the opportunity to work with Sesame Workshop to turn their idea into a possible product that could reach children and families nationwide. (Read a blog post from Jay Schiffman here.)