Scholastic High School Esports Hit the State of Michigan with Launch of the Michigan Scholastic Esports Collaborative This Week
Jul 29, 2020
MiSEC Formed by Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance and Michigan High School Esports Federation in partnership with the North America Scholastic Esports Federation
(Orange County, Calif., – July 29, 2020) – The newly-formed Michigan Scholastic Esports Collaborative (MiSEC) has formed an affiliate relationship with the North America Scholastic Esports Federation (NASEF), the worldwide leader in connecting esports play and learning. MiSEC, a collaboration between the Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance and the Michigan High School Esports Federation (MiHSEF), will leverage massive interest in video games by involving high school students in real-world career education paired with esports tournaments.
Michigan students will use NASEF resources to learn about possible STEM career pathways, enter Beyond the Game™ creative and analytic challenges, manage clubs and events and fundraising, and compete in tournaments. All opportunities provided by NASEF are free to students, schools, and community groups.
The affiliate is being created for the purpose of leveraging esports to build greater collaboration with universities, colleges, K-12 entities, businesses, informal education settings, and additional STEM supporters throughout Michigan.
MiHSEF will be hosting a virtual workshop event on July 29. The event begins with a discussion from nine Michigan college varsity esports coaches who will provide insight into their collegiate programs including how to join and receive scholarships. High school advisors will then share strategies for starting, running, and growing a high school team. The group plans to team up with Michigan collegiate and community partners to provide high-quality esports camps and other opportunities for high school students to engage in different aspects of the esports industry.
Esports Creates Positive Educational Outcomes
“Research demonstrates that scholastic esports increases school spirit, attendance, soft skills, and a sense of belonging,” said Lori Flippin, STEM Initiative Leader for the Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance. “Esports participation will enhance the talent pipeline for high-demand careers and build individual employability skills for participants.”
Ted Kidd, board member, said, “MiHSEF is a free-to-join educational non-profit esports organization and league created by teachers for students. Our vision is to create a positive competitive esports environment that gives all Michigan high school students the opportunity to obtain the knowledge and skills to be society’s game changers.”
“Many people cannot conceive of the transformational power of a scholastic esports program, but we’ve seen thousands of students develop a newfound commitment to learning because they are able to connect their favorite hobby – gaming – to the real world,” said Gerald Solomon, founder of NASEF and executive director of the Samueli Foundation. “The Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance and the Michigan High School Esports Federation are trend-setters, embracing new education methods and systems that make learning meaningful. This move to create the MiSEC is an example of embracing forward-thinking programs to benefit the students.”
Educators and students in Michigan can learn more about the Michigan High School Esports Federation at MiHSEF.org or the Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance at greatlakesbay.com. Specific questions can be directed to Ted Kidd, [email protected] or Lori Flippin, [email protected]
About the North America Scholastic Esports Federation
The North America Scholastic Esports Federation is working to ensure that ALL students possess the knowledge and skills needed to be society’s game changers: educated, productive, and empathetic individuals. NASEF is on a mission to provide opportunities for ALL students to use esports as a platform to acquire critical communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills needed to thrive in work and in life. The Federation’s core values are intertwined through all aspects of education and play: learning, opportunity, community, diversity, and respect.
Learn more at the NASEF website. See matches streamed live on our Twitch channel, and join online conversations on Twitter @NASEFedu, Facebook, and Instagram.
Note: All product and company names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.
Media Contacts:
Claire LaBeaux
Ted Kidd
Lori Flippin