Although I have not participated in these Synergy challenges before, the e-mail from them in my mailbox the other day intrigued me.  I think that students would be excited by the Winter Challenge, which is to design and produce a game. The deadline is April 1, 2012.  There is no entry fee.  See the website for the rules and a great rubric that you might want to download even if you aren’t planning to enter the contest!