Some programs have succeeded in repurposing existing equipment and spaces to provide a cost-effective opportunity without encountering opposition, which has been a popular model for middle schools and high schools. While esports is indeed growing quickly, there can still be obstacles, particularly at the K-12 level, in attaining funding and support from school boards or administrators responsible for a wide range of student and community needs.
Luckily, schools can fund their programs relatively quickly by applying for various esports-specific STEM grants. These grants, such as ByteSpeed and Frey Scientific, provide equipment money so schools can promote esports while navigating tight budgets.
Schools can also apply for broader grants by demonstrating the link between scholastic esports STEAM. There are many state, federal, and foundation grants that award dollars to projects that provide proven skill development and learning outcomes in the STEAM disciplines.
The opportunities are virtually limitless for educators to tie instruction or even entire courses to the many esports careers that fall within STEAM disciplines, including graphic design, computer coding, 3D animation, broadcasting, engineering and more.
Building the Pipeline
Bolstered by such grants, middle school and high school esports programs are popping up all over the country as students express greater interest in the scholarships and opportunities on offer.
In response, higher education institutions and nonprofits are bringing together middle school, high school and collegiate esports players to strengthen the flow of students from one education level to the next. For example, The North America Scholastic esports Federation (NASEF) partners with the National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE) to help youth esports players connect with relevant college recruiters and gain insight into opportunities for scholarships, events and quality education. Partnerships like this are a testament to a growing esports education ecosystem, one that’s cultivated from the ground up.
Institutions and administrators that want to address the widest swath of student interests and attract diverse student populations are helping put esports on an equal footing with traditional sports. Through the rise of educational scholarships, famous student players, and even fortunes made possible by recent changes allowing student athletes to sign sponsorship deals, it’s clear that esports has become an important campus activity and will continue to be an enrollment driver as the industry matures.
Related:
Collegiate esports programs are growing–is yours?
Tony Bocage is an Esports Education Specialist at LG Business Solutions USA. Based in Lincolnshire, Ill., LG Business Solutions USA’s esports division delivers a variety of advanced displays that range from UltraGear gaming monitors to brilliant LED displays that deliver amazing images for spectators, all with the goal of supporting each level of esports from K-12 through professional.
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