“Esports has shown its power in enhancing student engagement, attendance, and overall mental wellness.”
Esports platform PlayVS and Stiegler EdTech (SET) have announced a partnership that features esports as a bridge towards STEM and digital upskilling.
PlayVS, SET, and esports in education
PlayVS and SET's goal is to improve the education of students, increase the access to esports, and help boost post-high school career opportunities. SET will work as the PlayVS STEM, workforce development, and training partner. Through esports, the organization will extend its upskilling tools to students across over 700 high schools across North Carolina.
PlayVS CEO Jon Chapman said that he's thrilled about working with SET. He noted the scalability of this PlayVS and SET partnership in esports and STEM as well.
"Esports has shown its power in enhancing student engagement, attendance, and overall mental wellness. Through the integration of our esports expertise with SET's dedication to educational excellence, we can empower thousands of North Carolina students, fostering success not only in gaming but also in classrooms and future workplaces," Chapman said.
VESL and the next generation of esports careers
This news arrived after another partnership announcement featuring SET and UNC Greensboro Scholastic Esports Alliance (UNCG SEA), which expanded SET's Varsity Esports and STEM League (VESL) flagship program. This program puts North Carolina on the map in terms of being a leader in equipping students for future careers. According to an announcement, PlayVS and SET will continue to onboard schools in 2024, championing competitive gaming across titles such as Rocket League and Super Smash Bros Ultimate.
"Joining forces with PlayVS brings the gold standard varsity esports platform together with the cutting edge of innovation in STEM education and workforce development," SET chairman Tariq Bokhari said. He also provided insights about competitive varsity and its impact on upward mobility.
"What we are doing today in North Carolina, and soon after nation-wide, is setting a new standard for meeting kids where they are via gaming and creating a bridge that changes lives and upward mobility trajectories through a first-of-its-kind competitive varsity approach to STEM learning, while also generating the workforce talent desperately needed at scale, and tailor-matched to the unique employer needs of each region," Bokhari explained.
Students who are interested in the VESL can sign up via the initiative's official website. Meanwhile, schools can join by reaching out to [email protected].
That's all for now. Stick around on esports.gg for more news and updates across the esports industry!