Gaming company sponsors new $30K esports lab at Westfield High School

Spring ISD students will be able to enjoy a new esports lab in the 2024-25 school year thanks to a $30,395 donation from a global gaming company, according to an April 29 news release.

Zooming in

UK-based company IGT made the donation to SISD’s new esports management pathway—which is launching at Westfield High School in the 2024-25 school year—according to IGT's news release. At the IGT-funded lab, students can practice playing in and managing esports tournaments.

“IGT’s generous donation will help support the district and our community partners in introducing a brand-new esports computer lab, which will provide opportunities to students in SISD that will mold them into lifelong learners and critical thinkers who are ready to contribute, compete and lead in tomorrow’s workforce,” said Eric Tingle, SISD’s director of strategic innovation, in a statement.

IGT’s donation is part of the company’s After School Advantage program, which aims to help give students science, technology, engineering and math educational opportunities.

In case you missed it

As previously reported by Community Impact, SISD’s esports management program will:

• Teach students esports game design and development, business management, and event planning skills through “hands-on experiences."
• Fall under the district’s career and technical education, and STEM programs.
• Allow students to earn an associate of applied science degree, and business operations and esports management certificates through Lone Star College-Houston North.