The High School Esports League and the Army National Guard announced they are giving 25 schools in North America the opportunity to receive complete esports lab setups just by signing up for a random nationwide drawing by the end of the year
The winning entries from HSEL-affiliated schools, which will be announced on Feb. 15, 2021, will receive six high-spec gaming systems powered by 10th Gen Intel Core i7 processors and ASUS GTX 1660 Super graphics cards, along with mechanical keyboards, wireless headsets, and gaming mice. One school will land a full internet infrastructure and network upgrade courtesy of Extreme Networks.
To be considered, schools must apply by Dec. 31 at the HSEL site and submit photos and descriptions of their future gaming spaces or areas. For many schools, esports labs can be expensive but can also be a difference-maker in reaching students and providing future pathways in areas around science, technology, engineering and math.
“We know that setting up esports labs can be cost-prohibitive, so we wanted to step in and give schools an opportunity they might not otherwise have,” said Jason Kirby, president of Generation Esports, which oversees the HSEL. “STEM communities play a key role in the sustained growth of the economy, so it is important that we work to engage students in these areas in a way that builds life-long enthusiasm and excitement.
“With this project we not only teach students life-long lessons on computer building and maintenance, but also give them the opportunity to get hands-on experience of esports gaming, potentially setting them up for a future career.”
The HSEL says selected schools will receive an “enhanced league benefit” with a STEM learning curriculum that shows students how to build and maintain the lab. Representatives from Generation Esports and partners also will be offering guidance to students on potential STEM-related career opportunities.
More than 100,000 students nationwide and more than 3,000 schools participate in esports through the High School Esports League and the new Middle School Esports League.
