Electronic sports, aka esports, are increasingly cropping up at Philadelphia area schools and others across the United States — and there are many reasons why.
With esports, kids can engage with one another like never before. Esports can help children develop problem-solving and communication skills. Plus, high school esports can open the doors to careers in video game development, graphic design, and other creative fields.
At Delco Solutions, we offer esports gaming gear and other esports arena AV solutions to schools in the Philadelphia area. By doing so, we make it easy to start an esports team at your school.
What Are Esports?
Esports are a form of organized competitive video gaming, according to CNN. In esports competitions, gamers from different leagues or teams face off against each other. They play Fortnite, League of Legends, and other video games in the hopes of winning cash prizes.
CNN points out that millions of fans watch esports annually. On top of that, research shows that the global esports market was valued at $1.39 billion in 2022. This market is also projected to expand at a compound annual growth rate of 16.7% between 2022 and 2030.
Benefits of Esports in Schools
Esports provide extracurricular activities for students who may not fit in with other activities. They can help students build skills that last a lifetime.
With esports, children can work together as part of a team or league to achieve common goals. This fosters teamwork, collaboration, and inclusion. It can also help kids boost their self-esteem.
Meanwhile, esports promote STEM learning and interest and help them establish an analytical mindset. This can lead children to pursue STEM careers.
Along with these things, research shows that there is a direct correlation between participating in esports and results in school.
In one study, researchers indicated that the graduation rates of students who participated in esports were higher than their peers. Additionally, the study revealed that esports student-athletes attended class more frequently and had higher math and reading scores than students who did not participate in esports.
Tips to Start an Esports Team at Your School
The benefits of esports in Philadelphia area schools can be significant. If you want to start an esports team at your school, there are many things that you can do to get your team off the ground. These include:
1. Set Up a Gamer Club
Create a gamer club to provide an organized activity where students can play video games with one another. You can survey your student body to find out if kids are interested in a gamer club. If so, give students the opportunity to set up the club. Once the club is up and running, participants can attend meetings where they play different types of video games and connect with one another.
2. Build Your Network
Join the Network of Academic and Scholastic Esports Federations (NASEF), as this nonprofit organization is committed to helping students get the most value out of esports. It’s free to become an NASEF member. After you join, you can access esports team frameworks that can help you launch your team. You can also learn about esports grants for schools that can help you fund your team.
3. Get Esports Gear and Equipment
Partner with an AV solutions company that provides top-of-the-line esports gaming gear and equipment. This company can learn about your school and its esports equipment needs. It can then provide you with TV monitors, sound systems, and other esports essentials.
Don’t Wait Any Longer to Start an Esports Team at Your School
There’s a lot to like about having an esports team at your school. However, getting the right esports equipment and gear can be challenging. Fortunately, a best-in-class Philadelphia area AV solutions company can help you out.
At Delco Solutions, we make it easy to get started with esports. Tell us about your school and why you want to start an esports team. From here, we can provide you with custom AV solutions to help you launch your esports team.
Contact Delco Solutions for high-quality esports equipment to get your school’s team started.
