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Using Esports to Ignite Interest in Computer Science

Chris Aviles - Garden State Esports

Rich Bell - Cranford

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GSEsports.org

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What is Garden State Esports?

Garden State Esports (GSE) is a nonprofit organization run by educators that uses esports as a vehicle to engage students, foster personal growth, and turn a passion for gaming into a career.

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Why CS Needs Esports

And Vice Versa

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GSE Reach

  • 341 schools (both middle and high school)
  • 21 Colleges
  • 12,000+ competitors
    • Largest league in the country
  • 12 titles played, 4 different league levels
    • Champs, Contenders, Valkyrie, Unified
    • 100 high schools giving Varsity Letters

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For too long we have unfairly dismissed gaming as a waste of time and stereotyped gamers as isolated, socially inept losers.

This couldn’t be further from the truth.

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GSE Collegiate Circuit

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VS.

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GSE Impact

  • Reducing Chronic Absenteeism by connecting marginalized students to their schools and each other
  • Helping keep the most valuable, talented kids in NJ
  • Providing the Vehicle for Engagement for hundreds of schools and thousand of kids CTE skills
  • Improving the social and emotional health of students

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I have been the victim of severe toxicity while gaming online in the last 3 months

I have been the victim of severe toxicity while gaming at school in the last 3 months

67%

2%

My club advisor set rules around how we talk to and treat each other as part of our esports team.

95%

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NJ Needs Esports

  • Film & Digital Media Tax Credit
    • applies to game studios
    • Game Studios aren’t just game studios. Largest concert in history?

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Blueprint, C++, and Python

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Marvel, Star Wars, and Disney Movies.

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Netflix!

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Curriculum Connections

  • The industry encompasses so many different skill sets, students can always find something that they are interested in.
  • Computer Science is one of the many different disciplines that students in esports are drawn to.
  • Cross curricular collaborations are reinforced by the Esports industry opportunities.

Event Planner

Analyst

Fandom Art

Marketing

Theory Crafter

Shoutcaster

Streamer

Journalist

Game Developer

Professional Services

Software and Web Developer

Business Management / GM

IT Professional

Coach

Business Development

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Esports & Computer Science

Esports provides a unique platform for students to develop computer science skills, such as:

  • Game design and development
  • Coding and programming
  • Hardware and software troubleshooting
  • Data analysis and strategy building

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The social hub and hands-on opportunities for our learners.

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Thank You!

Learn more about Garden State Esports and its programs at GSEsports.org

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