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We had the pleasure of interviewing Cindy Phillips, the Lead Teacher of the Academy of Finance, North Miami Senior High School in Miami, Florida. Hear Cindy's story about how she got involved with scholastic esports, and her first-hand account describing the launch of her high school esports club. To learn more about the Florida Scholastic Esports League, visit https://www.flsel.org

We spoke with Dr. Tony Gragnani, president of the Missouri High School Esports Association and principal of Hickman High School to discuss MHSEA, scholastic esports, and the enthusiasm that he sees across the state. 

Learn from Haylesh Patel, Esports Physiologist for UC Irvine's Esports Team about the work he does to help keep esports athletes physically and mentally healthy for practice and competition. This is a great episode for any student considering a career in physiology in the world of esports!

Justin Shaifer is the Founder and Executive Director of Fascinate Inc. an organization created to excite underrepresented students about STEM. He is a TV host, internationally-known keynote speaker, and incredibly creative! Learn about Justin's journey as a young man in a single-parent household in the south side of Chicago, the role gaming had for him, and how he became a role model for young men and women everywhere.

This week, NASEF is proud to announce an exciting collaboration with the British Esports Association. This partnership will help benefit students and educators in both North America and Great Britain. In this episode of the Game to Grow Podcast, Tom Turner, Gerald Solomon, and Tom Dore discuss how this collaboration will positively impact scholastic esports for our two organizations.

On this episode of the Game to Grow Podcast, COO Samantha Anton joins our Commissioner Mark Deppe in the studio to discuss what's ahead for the 2019-2020 season at NASEF. Learn about the exciting news on competitions, Scholastic Fellows program, as well as international partnerships that are on the horizon. 

Mark Deppe interviews Professional Esports Commentator Erik "DoA" Lonnquist, to get his insights based on over 10 years of experience within the gaming industry. "DoA" provides some fun anecdotes about his gaming background, how he became a commentator, and advice for young people with a desire to get into the industry and might be torn about choosing an educational path. Students, parents, and educators will get a lot out of this interview!

Michael Sherman, the College Program Lead at Riot Games joins NASEF Commissioner Mark Deppe to discuss what's happening in esports on the college level. Mark and Michael discuss efforts to include more women in esports, as well as the goals of the Riot Scholastic Association of America. If you're involved with high school esports, you'll want to hear this episode to learn what's happening on the next level! 

“If we don’t listen to their voice, and don’t understand their behaviors and try to bring education to them via a format that is engaging, we will continue to use them and I think that is the power of this platform and esports.” In this special #GametoGrow Podcast episode, we are joined by Gerald Solomon, Founder of NASEF and Executive Director of the Samueli Foundation, and Superintendent Alberto Carvalho, Miami-Dade County Public Schools, the fourth largest school system in the United States. Miami-Dade CPS is the latest of school districts to embrace the opportunities of connecting esports and education. Under Superintendent Carvalho’s leadership, they are embracing the NASEF platform to enhance student learning, create career pathways, and develop better individuals within the classroom and in life.

This episode features Dr. Milo "PhDodson" Dodson, Senior Staff Psychologist for the University of California, Irvine's Counseling Center, where he serves as liaison to the UCI Athletics department and the UCI Esports program. "I'm more invested in your growth and your development along the way," shares Dr. Dodson, on teaching the UCI Esports' scholarship players that is more than about winning the championship ring. Commissioner Mark Deppe and Dr. Dodson also reflect on the different strains that affect the scholastic esports athlete, and consider how this affects their well being as people. "When you focus on the person, that's when performance improves."

This episode features special guest Dr. Mimi Ito, cultural anthropologist and Professor in Residence at UC Irvine. Mimi is Director of UCI's Connected Learning Lab, as well as co-founder of non-profit and NASEF program partner Connected Camps. Mimi joins Mark in a discussion about youth interests in esports, and how we can embrace and supports all students' identities. We also learn about "Affinity Online: How Connection and Shared Interest Fuel Learning," a series of case studies of youth online affinity networks and their diverse interests written by Mimi alongside several leading connected learning researchers.

Our latest episode of the Game to Grow podcast features NASEF's League Operations Coordinator, Jessamyn Acebes, who has been surrounded by gaming since growing up in the Philippines. After moving to the States, Jessamyn later found herself in various roles within the esports ecosystem, including her work with the UCI Esports collegiate program.

In this episode, Commissioner Mark Deppe recaps the milestones, challenges, beginning with our 2018 pilot program, the Orange County High School Esports League. Mark also looks ahead to 2019, previewing some of the many things we have in store for our esports clubs! 

In part two of the live coverage at NASEF’s Community day featuring the 2018 Overwatch High School Scholastic Tournament Finals, Commissioner Mark Deppe welcomes guests from the final four teams to speak about their experience. First off we have Anna, Overwatch player for Fountain Valley High School, and her mother Carol, who has seen firsthand how their high school’s competitive esports team has shaped her daughter. Next, we hear from the entire La Quinta High School crew, including several of their players, coach KC, and general manager Terry. The group reflects on their team energy, especially up against their friendly rivalry against Fountain Valley High School.

In part one of the live coverage at NASEF’s Community Day featuring the 2018 Overwatch High School Scholastic Tournament Finals, Commissioner Mark Deppe speaks with attendees on how esports has changed the game.

In this episode of the Game to Grow podcast, NASEF Commissioner Mark Deppe interviewed teacher and Minefaire producer Steven Isaacs. As a long-time gamer himself, Steven first began using technology to personalize learning for his students. Today, Steven continues teaching while also producing Minecraft community events and experiences with Minefaire. Steven describes his work with his middle school students and the support he is giving to local high school students. His middle school gaming club began as a casual community that is beginning to include more competitive interests. This episode is a great listen for those looking to learn more about the opportunity and benefits of using students’ passion for games in the classroom spaces!

In our latest episode, NASEF Commissioner Mark Deppe interviewed NASEF's Chief Operating Officer Samantha Anton. We learned how an idea of introducing scholastic esports in Orange County has spread nationwide. Samantha shares her vision for how NASEF is creating a winning environment for students, in and outside of the classroom. She also describes some of the lessons that students are learning as a result of competition. This is a must-listen for any educator or parent who may be skeptical about introducing esports to high school students!   

Game to Grow Podcast Host and NASEF Commissioner Mark Deppe walks the floor of the UCI Esports Conference to ask questions of some of the brightest minds in attendance. Listen in on some great conversations regarding STEM education and esports, advice for high school students, and the roles that ANYONE can have within the esports ecosystem. 

In the inaugural episode of the NASEF Game to Grow Podcast, Commissioner Mark Deppe interviews Gerald Solomon the Executive Director for the Samueli Foundation. Who would have thought that esports could be used as a learning platform? At just before the 8 minute mark, you'll hear about how esports has been used to help students to become more engaged in school through their esports clubs. At the 20 minute mark, you'll learn how STEM education and esports combine to make an exciting learning environment for our student participants. Other subjects discussed in this comprehensive interview include what NASEF offers to its participating clubs, the free clinics and toolkits NASEF has created, as well as how competition has taught our participants some valuable life skills.