Engaging Students in STEAM through Esports

K-12 STEAM education

Gateway Cities

Pilot or new project, program, or initiative (testing or implementing a new idea)

Esports can address K-12 challenges by engaging students in STEAM education. Many are disengaged from traditional activities, missing chances to learn through interactive means. An LACOE-commissioned UCLA report highlights the benefits of esports for students (link). Underserved students in esports have increased attendance and retention. Esports teaches coding, robotics, and other STEAM skills, preparing students for future jobs. It also fosters digital literacy, teamwork, and leadership via games like Minecraft Education. Training educators to run esports programs creates inclusive learning environments that help students succeed academically and professionally. The aim is to use gaming interest to enhance learning, integrating esports into school life. It addresses the rising demand for STEAM skills and prepares students for the digital economy. This approach helps bridge education with the digital world.

"Engaging Students in STEAM through Esports" aims to create a dynamic learning environment using esports to combat disengagement and boost STEAM education access for LA County K-12 students. Minecraft Education will gamify subjects like history and English. The initiative will establish a scholastic esports program, blending extracurricular and curricular elements to foster academic excellence, social skills, and career readiness. Esports will enhance classroom instruction in math, science, and engineering, making learning engaging by relating STEAM to student interests. Esports clubs and teams will be formed, offering students opportunities to compete, collaborate, and develop teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills. They will join local and national leagues with games like Mario Kart and Super Smash Bros. Workshops will cover esports management, marketing, and game design, linking students to digital media careers via college partnerships. Community involvement will be fostered through volunteering and events. Addressing the demand for STEAM skills, esports integration prepares students for the digital age, providing an inclusive and scalable model for education.

Esports transforms LA County education, fostering engagement and career readiness. It creates a vibrant community using gaming for learning and growth. Vision: Establish a thriving esports ecosystem in schools, bridging education and the digital economy. Aims to boost academic performance, social skills, and career readiness in STEAM fields. A successful program will lead to: 1. Improved STEAM academic outcomes as students apply knowledge in esports. 2. Increased student engagement and retention with an inclusive platform. 3. Stronger community and industry ties, offering pathways to careers in gaming and tech. Long-term scaling involves embedding esports in Local Control and Accountability Plans (LCAP), securing funding, and expanding reach. The existing LACOE Esports Network will guide expansion and ensure collaboration to sustain and grow the initiative county-wide. This approach aims to make learning engaging and relevant for the digital era, preparing students for future success.