Kids today (said the old man) are clearly more adept at electronics and technology than even we were growing up, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they understand the science behind it. Relativity Media wants to help change that for the smarter by offering a chance for students to familiarize themselves with computer science by coding their own game based on Relativity’s upcoming sci-fi film Earth to Echo, which follows four kids as they encounter a small alien robot which they call Echo.

The contest, “Code: Echo,” will challenge school children to compete in three different categories with their game-creating skills: Best Story Tie-In, Best Puzzle Game, and Best Action game. The idea was inspired by Code.org, which is a non-profit group dedicated to making computer science more available in schools and its “Hour of Code” initiative introducing students to the joys of computer programming.

In Code: Echo’s official press release, Liz Jones, EVP of Digital Marketing for Relativity said “Since Earth to Echo is a first person narrative about kids who actually inspire change, we thought it only fitting to give students across the country the opportunity to build their own game in a creative and fun way.”

This seems like a very cool chance for young people to get interested in the nuts and bolts of games and not just the point and click. If you have students who’d be interested, or know of any, you can send them to Code: Echo‘s website for full details. Winners will be announced May 23rd, 2014, so they better get a-coding.

(Photo Credit: Relativity Media/Patrick Wymore)