eSports programs offer a multitude of benefits that can enhance students' academic, social, and personal development. On Thursday, January 23rd, over 55 students from eSports teams representing Andover, Boliver-Richburg, Cattaraugus Little-Valley, Cuba-Rushford, and Randolph school districts attended the first of two regional tournaments focused on “leveling up” student gaming experiences.

Students spent the morning in the JCC Jayhawks eSports arena rotating through practice rounds to prepare for tournament gameplay in the afternoon. They were able to meet and play against students from other districts while collaborating and sharing resources, equipment, and game access. Students rotated through rounds of Rocket League, Super Smash Brothers, Mario Kart, and classic Nintendo games, strategizing with their own teams while getting to know students with similar interests IRL (in real life).

Students participated in a lunch-and-learn event discussing video game character development and worked on designing their own character avatar. Students were led through an example of how a character is developed and then were tasked with creating a character outline including identity, location, and abilities. Connections were drawn to students’ ELA classes, demonstrating to them how creative writing prompts can be used to create a character’s backstory and how archetypes found throughout classical literature and mythology are applied to game characters to help create environments and drive gameplay narratives and objectives.
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The afternoon was spent back in the eSports arena in bracketed competitions for the following games:

• Rocket League: A vehicular soccer video game where teams of three attempt to outscore one another using modified vehicles in place of human soccer players.
• Super Smash Brothers: A crossover fighting game in which players control one of the various characters from the Nintendo universe and use attacks to weaken their opponents and knock them out of an arena.
• Mario Kart: A racing game series based on the Mario franchise where players compete in go-kart races while using various power-up items to secure a 1st place finish.

Tournament Winners Included:
Rocket League – 3v3 Team Tournament Play

• 1st - Randolph
• 2nd - Cuba Rushford

 
Super Smash Bros – Individual Player Tournament Play

• 1st - Camden Peters - Randolph
• 2nd - Izik Bowen - Bolivar-Richburg
• 3rd - Gabe Frame - Randolph

 
Mario Kart – Team Tournament Play

• 1st - Bolivar-Richburg
• 2nd - Randolph
• 3rd - Cuba-Rushford
• 4th - Andover

Overall, video games offer so much more than just entertainment for our students; they can serve as powerful tools for teaching valuable skills that extend far beyond the screen. eSports teams often provide a social aspect to gameplay that students may not otherwise have in their extracurricular lives. Present day gaming occurs across dynamic platforms with games that can teach students an array of valuable skills including:

Teamwork and Collaboration
eSports teams require students to work together to achieve common goals, mirroring the dynamics of traditional sports. Players must communicate effectively, strategize collectively, and support one another to succeed. These experiences foster teamwork and collaboration skills that are crucial in both academic and professional settings.

Strategic Thinking and Problem Solving
Many video games, especially those in competitive eSports, demand high levels of strategic thinking and problem-solving. Students learn to analyze complex situations, make quick decisions, and adapt to changing circumstances. These cognitive skills are transferable to real-life scenarios, from academic challenges to career tasks.

Leadership and Responsibility
Being part of an eSports team can help students develop leadership qualities. Team captains and other leading roles learn to motivate peers, organize practice sessions, and make critical decisions. This responsibility nurtures leadership skills and a sense of accountability.

Time Management and Discipline
The key to eSports over individualized gaming is balance. Balancing schoolwork and personal wellness with gaming requires effective time management and discipline. Students involved in eSports must learn to prioritize tasks, set schedules, and meet deadlines. These habits can lead to better academic performance and a more organized lifestyle as they realize their time away from the screen is just as important as their time on it.

Technological Literacy
In a world increasingly driven by technology, being comfortable with digital platforms is a student’s most important asset. Video games expose students to various technological tools and systems, enhancing their overall technological literacy. This familiarity can open doors to careers in IT, game design, coding and development, and other tech-related fields.

Creativity and Innovation
Many video games encourage creative thinking and innovation. Games that involve building, designing, or storytelling allow students to express their creativity and think outside the box while open ended narrative allowed for unstructured play and expression at any age level. Thanking creativity requires training one’s brain and video game play can lead to the development of innovative ideas and solutions.

Stress Relief and Mental Health
Playing video games can be a great way for students to unwind and relieve stress. When balanced with other activities, gaming can contribute to better mental health by providing a fun and engaging outlet for relaxation. The multi-level access point of digital gaming allows students to interact over platforms

Cultural Awareness and Diversity
eSports teams and online gaming communities bring together players from diverse backgrounds and cultures. Interacting with peers from across the county to around the world helps students develop cultural awareness and sensitivity, fostering a more inclusive and empathetic worldview. Video game stories and characters are being develop from increasingly diverse source materials providing students with exposure to different cultures and histories they may otherwise have never encountered, making them more cognizant of the experiences of others.
 
As education continues to evolve, embracing modern tools that are referential to students’ lives is essential for providing unique learning opportunities that prepare them for the challenges and opportunities of their future. Events like this tournament create engaging outlets for high spirited competition and fun and we are grateful to JCC and their eSports team for allowing us to use their top-tier spaces and impressive equipment to enhance our students’ experience.

By: Sean Conklin, Coordinator for Arts Integration and Extra Curricular Events

The Environmental Education Program at CA BOCES has worked with four of our component school districts this year to help make the dream of an Ecology Camp a reality. Students at Cuba-Rushford, Franklinville, Olean, and Cattaraugus-Little Valley had the opportunity to spend a night or two at Camp Allegany, in the heart of the beautiful Allegany State Park. While there, students had the opportunity to fish, fly kites, and learn from experienced Allegany State Park staff about some of the animals and plants found in the park. Students had the chance to learn important skills such as backpacking, orienteering, and kayaking while at the camp. Many of the kids truly enjoyed the opportunity to spend the night in a cabin along with many of their friends. The students had a great time and created memories that will last forever! We look forward to helping with the Ecology Camps in the future. ​