Fort Worth ISD Kicks Off eSports Program with Fall Expo
Fort Worth, Texas – Thursday morning, Dec. 9, the Fort Worth ISD (FWISD) Teaching and Learning Center transformed into a mini eSports arena. It was the eSports Fall Expo, the official kick off of competitive online multiplayer gaming at the District.
Nearly 100 high school students from 16 newly-formed FWISD eSports teams heard from expert gamers and experienced for the first time an eSports competition sponsored by North Tarrant Express.
“This was an excellent opportunity to engage a traditionally marginalized group of students and turn their passion for video games into a viable career path,” said FWISD Career and Technical Education Executive Director Daphne Rickard. “Other districts are experiencing increased school attendance and academic performance from students participating in eSports, and we are enthusiastic about having the same effect here.”
FWISD recently joined the High School eSports League (HSEL) and added the program to all of its high schools to help students develop skills in critical thinking, situational awareness, communication, problem-solving, and analysis and reflection. After-school practices are led by FWISD teachers who serve as eSports coaches, and video games are District-approved.
With 250 million viewers daily, eSports continues to grow in popularity. Over 300 colleges have incorporated eSports programs into their campuses, many of them offering millions in scholarships. This $1 billion industry is also attracting the attention of potential employers interested in hiring individuals with computer programming skills- a fantastic opportunity for FWISD seniors!
FWISD thanks NBC 5 for sharing the story!