Microsoft Game Studios is teaming up with the Georgia Aquarium to introduce an educational initiative that will help excite and inform students about the complexity of and caring for marine life. Microsoft Corp., the Georgia Aquarium and AirTran Airways has announced a national essay contest on marine conservation and the importance of preserving aquatic life. In conjunction with the recent launch of Zoo Tycoon 2: Marine Mania, the newest addition to the award-winning “Zoo Tycoon” franchise, and the upcoming one-year anniversary of the Georgia Aquarium, the essay competition encourages students in grades six through eight to submit a 250- to 500-word essay focusing on why conservation of marine animals and the ocean is important.

“Our research has shown that students choose aquariums as their top choice for field-trip destinations. They are the best places to both engage with marine life up close and form an understanding of the world’s oceans,” said Craig Davison, director of global games marketing in the Entertainment and Devices Division at Microsoft. “We feel privileged to help the Georgia Aquarium with its mission of connecting people with aquatic animals and teaching today’s students about important issues like marine preservation and conservation.”

Microsoft Game Studios also sponsored a visit to the Georgia Aquarium today for 250 students from Atlanta-area schools. Visiting the largest aquarium in the world, students can observe more than 100,000 animals from 500 species, and discover how to best take care of them by playing Zoo Tycoon 2: Marine Mania at any of numerous kiosks available throughout the aquarium.[tags]zoo tycoon 2, georgia aquarium, microsoft, marine mania, ocean science[/tags]