New MPS hire pushes esports and STEM initiative to curriculum
Ron Lynch is a sophomore who became a member of the gaming club last year. Photo by Azalea Petry-Towns
By Kiya Darden, North High School
Minneapolis Public Schools recently hired an esports expert to connect esports to STEM curriculums across the district.
Jacquie Lamm, a teacher on special assignment with MPS, came from Minnesota State University-Mankato. She is tasked with launching varsity esports programs across the district this school year. The district currently only has four esports programs, all of which are after-school clubs. With the new collaboration, Lamm hopes to expand after-school esports programs and embed esports into the MPS K-12 curriculum.
“I believe students will be able to learn and adapt in a creative way. It's an alternative to traditional tests and note-taking,” Lamm said.
Kay Lynn Wong, an esports club advisor and special education teacher at North High, is anticipating that this initiative will help bring inclusivity and diversity into the STEM curriculum. Gamers who may not possess elite athletic skills can compete to sports-like fanfare and through her esports club, students have been able to participate in school in a way they haven’t before.
“Having a space in the building that’s for non-athletics but you can also be considered an athlete is important,” Wong said.
Last year, North placed second in Rocket League and top 16 in Super Smash Bros Ultimate during the esports state tournament last Spring.
Wong believes that normalizing gameplay in STEM and everyday learning will create better pathways toward a rapidly growing career industry. Esports reached professional status in 2013 and top gamers can average between $12,000 to $60,000 in annual earnings, the same as some entering tech fields.
“Gamifying education is not just about playing a game; it's about engaging students in their education,” Wong said.
Wong and the esports team hope to have another successful year in the state finals that take place in spring 2024.