Motorola Opening 'Motorola M-Lab' Educational Game Center

Tech giant Motorola and theme park Wannado City have announced that Motorola will open the "Motorola M-Lab", an innovation-oriented venue located within the Wannado City theme park located outside Fort Lauderdale, Florida, that uses 'serious game' elements to educate children about technology and invention. The M-Lab, which is expected to open in fall 2006, is designed for children ages 8-12, and will allow them to experience a high-tech environment while exposing them to careers in science, technology and innovation. Within the M-Lab, each child plays the role of an “M-Ventor", part of an elite group of young inventors tasked with solving difficult problems using an interactive video game while working as a team. The software for the video game portion of the experience was developed by ImaginEngine, a developer of educational and entertaining software for kids and a division of Foundation 9 Entertainment. "We want to inspire kids to learn more about science, invention, and the thought process that goes into creating new things with technology," said Mark Loughridge, co-chairman of Foundation 9 Entertainment and one of the founders of ImaginEngine. "We feel the realistic, immersive environment, the dynamic of the team effort, and the exciting discovery and creation process that are all a part of the venue will make this a fun, insightful and highly memorable experience for kids." The venue is being created for Motorola by Gensler, a strategic design firm with expertise in creating branded experiences through the built environment. "Like the existing venues at Wannado City, the Motorola M-Lab is designed to deliver an edutainment experience," said Russell Banks, Gensler's creative director. "Here, Motorola truly celebrates the value of inventiveness, teamwork, science, and the benefits of technology by making it fun and in turn making Motorola relevant to kids."