Stepping Up: Mount Vernon STEAM Academy’s New E-Sports Club Empowers Non-Traditional Learners with Communication and Strategic Thinking Skills
Mount Vernon STEAM Academy has a new addition to its after-school activities – an E-Sports Club. The club is designed for students who are interested in non-traditional competitive sports and provides them with an opportunity to hone their skills alongside others across the country. The academy, which has been a high school in the city since 2018, has around 60 participants in the program.
The STEAM Knights E-Sports club was established in October 2023 and is led by coach/advisors Ian Smith, a social studies teacher, and Peter Palij, a math teacher. According to Smith, E-sports is a great way for students to come together after school and participate in a competitive sport that requires them to strategize, communicate, and collaborate with their teammates. The students in the club team up to play against other high schools on the East Coast, often on recorded matches that can lead to qualifications for playoffs and national-level tournaments.
For senior Zuri Jackson, who is part of the E-Sports club, participating in this type of gaming environment allows her to engage in a different type of gaming experience while working collaboratively with her teammates towards achieving their goals in matches. She highlighted how this experience has helped her build communication skills and provided her with a fun and interactive way to connect with her peers. Overall, the E-Sports club at Mount Vernon STEAM Academy offers students an exciting opportunity to participate in a competitive sport that fosters teamwork, strategy, and communication skills.
Mount Vernon STEAM Academy’s E-Sports Club provides an outlet for students who may not be interested in traditional sports but still want to engage in competitive activity. With over 60 participants under two experienced coaches/advisors’ leadership, it’s clear that this program is becoming increasingly popular among students looking for something different from conventional sports.
According to Smith, E-sports is more than just about gaming; it’s about developing important skills such as strategic thinking, communication, collaboration and teamwork. These are all valuable skills that will serve students well throughout their lives.
Zuri Jackson shared how she enjoys playing against other high schools from across the country through recorded matches that can lead to qualifications for playoffs and national-level tournaments.
Overall, Mount Vernon STEAM Academy’s E-Sports Club offers an exciting opportunity for students who want to participate in something different from traditional sports while still engaging in competitive activity. This program promotes valuable skills that will benefit them both academically and personally as they continue their journey towards success.
