eSports is a Great Opportunity for Maine and New Hampshire Schools
“By offering eSports as an extracurricular activity, schools reach students who often are otherwise disengaged from the school community. eSports in schools can transport these kids from the solitary world of digital gaming into the common space of the school computer lab or library commons.” – Why eSports Is A Good Thing
It is estimated that in 2019, nearly half a billion people will watch eSports online or at a competition, which is more than just about any other professional sport.
This new popularity suggests that eSports may soon become as mainstream as high school football or baseball, since competitive gaming is now a varsity sport in high schools and colleges across the United States including states like Maine and New Hampshire.
Maine Schools:
- Central Maine Community College
- Thomas College
- Brunswick High School
- Cape Elizabeth High School
- Central Aroostook High School
- Deering High School
- Falmouth High School
- Lake Region High School
- Massabesic High School
- Waterville Senior High School
- Westbrook High School
New Hampshire Schools:
- Southern New Hampshire University
- New England College
- Bedford High School
- John Stark Regional High School
- Salem High School
- Windham High School
It is no longer “cutting edge” to have an esports team at your school. What is cutting edge is what you propose to do with this opportunity through esports…The games should provide an experience to something beyond the games. To focus solely on gaming is missing why esports is so important in school culture.
James O’Hagen, Rockford IL Public Schools
The benefits of an eSports Program:
There’s little argument about the benefits of extracurricular activities for high school students. Studies have shown that students who are involved in extracurricular activities are more successful in a number of ways, including:
- Higher graduation rates and higher attendance
- Improved scores in math and reading
- More students aspiring to higher education
- Higher focus in class
- Higher self-esteem, with fewer engagements of smoking and drinking
eSports represent a unique opportunity to capitalize on an after-school activity that is already occurring and to formalize the gathering by creating a school sponsored, constructive activity.
Additional benefits for students participating in eSports programs include:
- Enhancement of Technology Understanding – eSports and STEM go hand-in-hand. Students who are drawn to gaming are often equally captivated by the broader technology ecosystem.
- Team Building – Communication, coordination working with others, improved social skills, strategic thinking and planning, managing success and failure, time management and pro-social values are all benefits from any team sport, online competitive gaming included.
- Path to College – Not only does eSports in school boost student interest in higher education, but it can also provide a pathway to post-secondary scholarships. Over 250 more have club programs. Nearly 200 US colleges collectively offer around $15 million a year in eSports scholarships.
How Can I help?
Consultation – As a vendor-agnostic technology consultant, I can provide valuable insight and resources. I know the questions to ask and things to take under consideration. If something comes up that I am not familiar with, I have a team of engineers and professional relationships that I count on to find the answer you need.
Vendor Alignment – WCA has extensive experience in the IT world. This includes valuable relationships with all of the leading manufacturers to tackle any challenge or obstacle you may encounter. Whether that’s setting up an eSports program from scratch or improving an existing program in place.
Support Services – Founded by educators, for educators, over 40 years ago, WCA is a strategic partner with over 250 K-12 school systems, more than 50 colleges and universities. We perform services for some of the largest and most prestigious companies in New England including EMC, T.J. Maxx and Marshalls, Friendly’s, Bertucci’s, Rite Aid, UMass, Westfield State University, Providence College, the Cities of Boston, Springfield, Warwick and nearly three thousand other customers.
Space Design – WCA can provide all of the space floor plans,sample renderings, logistical assessments and design services your eSports project may require. Additionally, we can provide all of the equipment, configuration, installation and setup – from servers, storage, networking, cabling or audio visual equipment.
Let’s start with a phone call, onsite visit or video conference, contact me today to schedule a time that’s convenient for you.
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