A Summer of Fun and Learning
Recently North Carolina Esports Academy joined forces with SparkNC to kickstart a summer of gaming and education, hosted in the Hunt Library on the campus of North Carolina State University. The event marked a significant milestone, drawing students from 16 school districts in North Carolina.
Tournaments Featuring Fortnite : A Blast of Excitement
At the event, we hosted tournaments for the students featuring Fortnite. They were a blast and we had many parents and educators give such positive feedback about how much fun it was. While the tournaments provided a fantastic gaming experience, they also served as a springboard to showcase the broader mission of North Carolina Esports Academy – education through video games.
Bridging Fun and Learning with Roblox
To illustrate the educational potential of gaming, our academy collaborated with an intern from William Peace University to craft a Roblox game design and coding unit. This innovative initiative allowed students to dive into the world of Roblox Studio, a platform akin to Unreal Engine and Unity, where they could bring their game ideas to life.
Roblox Studio empowers game developers to upload their creations for others to enjoy. With enough engagement, developers can even earn Robux, the in-game currency, and eventually real-world income. Beyond gaming, this endeavor provided students with a dynamic pathway to acquire coding and tech skills, preparing them for a future in technology.
Expanding Horizons: The Spark Labs Hybrid Learning
North Carolina Esports Academy, in collaboration with SparkNC, continued to pioneer innovative approaches to education. Recently, a hybrid mix of in-person and online learning was offered to students in Edgecombe, Warren, and Cumberland County at the Spark Labs. Here, students had the unique opportunity to come together and receive hands-on instruction in game creation and coding using the Roblox Studio platform.
Empowering Education Through Gaming
The collaboration between North Carolina Esports Academy and SparkNC stands as a testament to the transformative potential of gaming in education. While many are familiar with Roblox as a platform for gaming, fewer are aware of Roblox Studio’s power to nurture game development skills and technical acumen.
SparkNC’s commitment to supporting 17 school districts in North Carolina, including many in rural areas, is reshaping education in the region. With a focus on seven tech fields – Artificial Intelligence (AI), computer systems engineering, cybersecurity, data analytics, UX/UI design, game development and design, and software development – they are ushering in a new era of learning within the public school system.
In conclusion, this partnership is not just about gaming; it’s about unlocking the potential of technology to inspire, educate, and empower the next generation of innovators. Together, North Carolina Esports Academy and SparkNC are bridging the gap between fun and learning, demonstrating that video games can be a dynamic gateway to a brighter, tech-savvy future.
Interested in exploring future partnerships with us? Fill out our contact form and start the conversation.
