Hartford Public Schools is excited to announce the launch of a Scholastic Esports program that will be embedded into the STEM curriculum in high schools. Scholastic Esports refers to competitive gaming that takes place within an educational context, with the goal of promoting teamwork, critical thinking, and strategic problem-solving skills. Scholastic Esports programs aim to provide students with a positive and engaging activity that combines their passion for gaming with valuable learning experiences and opportunities for personal growth.
Scholastic Esports will provide an opportunity for students to engage in a variety of academic-focused elective courses during the school day. Each of the 11 high schools will have the opportunity to customize the curriculum to fit the needs of their students and enhance the resources in their buildings. Course offerings could include:
Great Path Academy student and STEM Director Joanna Ali explore the Scholastic Esports lessons.
- Gaming Concepts Fundamentals: students will explore esports history, technology, and troubleshooting techniques. The curriculum will have a technology focus.
- Exploring Interactive Media: a project-based course about digital graphics, print media, computer animation, audio production, web design, and more. Students will learn how to facilitate meetings, serve as team leaders, manage project timelines, and produce professional projects.
- Streaming and Shoutcasting: similar to a traditional public speaking course. Students will initiative and participate in collaborative discussions, utilize digital medi
- a in presentations and more. They will learn the fundamentals of broadcast journalism and public speaking through the lens of a shoutcaster, which is a fast-growing career field. The skills learned in this course align with the arts, A/V technology and communications. Lessons include story writing and interviewing, media’s influence on society, and producing a broadcast.
- Cybersecurity in Esports: students will focus on the fundamentals of cybersecurity including ethics and laws, hacking, ransomware, malware, digital citizenship, and more.
Esports is a fast-growing industry with college scholarships being offered for esports players. More than 200 colleges and universities offer scholarships for esports.
“Scholastic Esports aligns with our district’s academic curriculum to support the whole student for success in college, career, and beyond,” said Dr. Joanna Ali, STEM Director at Hartford Public Schools. “We are not just playing games. esports is a vehicle that can move the curriculum forward. It’s a well-rounded, structured program that supports students academically and socially through teamwork and collaborative experiences. We’ve heard our students loud and clear, and they are eager for opportunities that bring their outside interests into the classroom. And we plan to deliver.”
Piloting is currently underway at Great Path Academy. All other HPS high schools are currently developing plans to implement the program for the 2023-2024 school year.
Hartford Public Schools has engaged with esports companies, including Generation esports and PlayVs, which has CIAC affiliation. As part of the partnership with PlayVS, the District has partnered with Nintendo to secure Nintendo Switches for each high school. These devices will be used in the esports curriculum.