Teacher's video dance game gets kids in shape

Stacy Cho knows how to get kids moving: Create a video game that has dancing, a little technological wizardry and, of course, competition.

This week, the Xbox-playing middle school math teacher earned $50,000 for her idea by winning a national wellness contest with her virtual video dancing game.

	Cho

Cho's "Dancing Craze" won partly because it's designed to get kids off couches and active, dovetailing with the contest's goal of getting more kids moving to fight obesity.

In Cho's game, players create moves for virtual dancers they design. Then they can share those moves online and compete to see who has the best dance steps.

The test marketing came from Cho's own school because the game plays off the natural competitiveness, YouTube interest and video gaming habits she sees in students.

"Any time you turn anything into a competition, kids go crazy," said Cho, who teaches math at Islander Middle School on Mercer Island. "You can't eliminate the technology and the games, but maybe we can spin it in a way that's active."

Cho has little interest in eliminating technology. The 30-year-old plays the popular "Rock Band" on her own Xbox console and sends e-mail with her iPhone.

Cho's sister told her about Ruckus Nation, a contest by California-based HopeLab for new product ideas that encourage physical activity. Initially, Cho saw an opportunity for her students, but after a tepid response the West Seattle resident took on the project.

In a way, the contest took over Cho. One night in September, she woke up with the inspiration for "Dancing Crazy," and wrote it up that evening.

There are other video dancing games. "Dance Dance Revolution," for example, has been on the market for years and hailed as a tool in fighting obesity.

But Cho says her game would be more interactive and responsive to a player's movements.

"It's not a preset dance," Cho said. "You can really be creative and create your own dance."

"Dancing Crazy" hasn't hit the market. In fact, it is not even a true game yet. In winning the contest Cho sold the nonprofit HopeLab the rights to her idea for $75,000 -- $50,000 for winning and $25,000 for capturing top honors in a category.

HopeLab will work on developing the game, as well as the nine other category winners. "I can't wait to play it," Cho said.

For more information about the Ruckus Nation contest and the "Dancing Craze" game idea check www.hopelab.org.