CONESTOGA COLLEGE
Educators learn more about implementing esports program in local schools

The information night held on October 17 at the Waterloo campus provided about 50 educators from kindergarten to Grade 12 with tools and resources to support esports programming at local elementary and high schools.

The board's high school esports teams will be at Conestoga's Esports Hub in December for their Rocket League Championship - the second time the hub will host the WCDSB competition. The aim is to have all local Catholic high schools represented at the event, which will be livestreamed.

"Collaborating with the Waterloo Catholic District School Board on this professional development night, as well as our upcoming calendar of events for 2024/2025, has been an incredibly rewarding and valuable experience," said Zack Dodge, supervisor of Esports Operations.

"Conestoga has established itself as a leader in esports within our community, making it important for us to host, collaborate and support the introduction of esports to a new generation of youth and families in Waterloo Region."

Conestoga's state-of-the-art Esports Hub opened in November 2022 as the first facility of its kind in the Waterloo Region, equipped with 36 gaming PCs, a six-player competitive desk, access to gaming consoles and a control room for live-streaming productions.

The hub hosts weekly programming, events and open lab time to students, and provides hands-on learning to students in Conestoga's new Esports and Events Media Production program, launched in fall 2023. Community members are also welcomed into the unique space to learn more about esports, both as a fun pursuit and also career option in the rapidly evolving industry in Canada.

The evening was a "unique and transformative experience" for school staff, said Whitney McKinley, student achievement consultant for learning innovation.

"The session allowed educators to explore the growing relevance of esports in education and how structured esports programs can foster essential skills such as teamwork, communication, resilience and digital literacy in students," McKinley said. "By equipping staff with practical knowledge and strategies to implement esports programs, this professional development empowered educators to engage students in innovative ways that resonate with today's youth culture."

The collaboration enhanced the educators' understanding of esports, from educational to professional possibilities for students and also the value of incorporating esports into their schools.

"By embracing esports as an educational tool, we are helping students develop transferable skills that will serve them in various facets of life, while also ensuring that educators feel prepared and inspired to guide them. This collaboration highlights the potential of esports in education and the positive impact of academic-industry partnerships on student engagement and success," McKinley said.

The two-year Esports and Events Media Production diploma program trains students on the production needs of future hybrid events. Drawing from the technology advancements and practices of esports and the video production skills from the media industry, students will learn how to produce dynamic events. Students will receive hands-on training in Conestoga's Esports Hub and production control room.