Esports, or competitive video gaming, has gained significant popularity worldwide, and many educational institutions have recognized its potential as a legitimate and valuable activity for students.
Should your school or community include Esports? YES!
Kids, of all ages, are finding a sense of belonging through Esports. They are developing soft skills that promote social and academic engagement and engrain collaboration and teamwork — skills that will serve them well in the real world.
Here are some aspects of esports in schools & why it is vital (& working!)
- Extracurricular Activity: Esports is often introduced as an extracurricular activity, similar to traditional sports. Schools may form esports clubs or teams that compete against other schools in various gaming titles.
- STEM Education: Esports can be a gateway to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education. Many games involve strategic thinking, problem-solving, and understanding technology. Some schools integrate esports into STEM programs to engage students in these fields.
- Skill Development: Participating in esports can help students develop various skills, such as teamwork, communication, critical thinking, and hand-eye coordination. These skills are transferable and can benefit students in other aspects of their academic and personal lives.
- Inclusivity: Esports can be more inclusive than traditional sports, as it doesn’t require physical prowess. Students with different abilities and interests can find a place in esports, fostering a diverse and inclusive environment.
- Career Pathways: Esports offers potential career pathways beyond playing the games, including roles in game development, marketing, event management, streaming, and journalism. Schools may introduce students to these potential career options through esports programs.
- Social Interaction: Esports can provide a social platform for students who may not be interested in traditional sports. It allows them to connect with peers who share similar interests, fostering a sense of community within the school.
- Educational Partnerships: Educational institutions form partnerships with esports organizations or industry professionals to enhance the educational value of their programs. This can include workshops, mentorship programs, and guest speakers.
- Tournaments and Competitions: Schools can participate in esports tournaments and leagues organized at local, regional, and national levels. This provides students with the opportunity to compete, showcase their skills, and potentially earn scholarships.
Esports build culture, friendships and community. Technology is here to stay and simulators, AI (artificial intelligence), and VR (virtual reality) are gaining acceptance and mainstream usage by the day. These skills are vital to a student’s skillset to ensure future employment (& even scholarships to college.) Companies are donating funds to these teams because they are creating a positive change and mirror corporate social responsibility (and perhaps developing future employees!)
Perhaps your space is tight. Adding such curriculum can be paired with other fresh teachings.
- Instructional training of CAD & Engineering & STEM
- Research projects that promote collaboration
- Cybersecurity
TeamPAR is ready to create an Esports environment for you. The future is now… Let’s play!
