NASEF’s global network bolsters Esports Association of Ecuador’s work to leverage esports and gaming interest for meaningful learning around career and life skills

(Guayaquil, Ecuador, 06 October 2023) – Esports are booming, and students in Ecuador are excited to not just play the games, but to pursue related careers. To support this thirst for competition and education, Esports Association of Ecuador has just become an affiliate of NASEF. A global NGO, NASEF provides a framework and support for educators around the world as they build programs that connect students’ love of video games and esports to exploration of career pathways, simultaneously developing important personal “soft skills” that will help youth thrive in today’s workforce.

NASEF leverages massive student interest in team-based competitive video gaming, offering meaningful career and STEAM education alongside tournaments in top game titles. Students learn about possible career pathways, enter Beyond the Game creative and analytic challenges, manage clubs and events and fundraising, and compete in tournaments in popular titles including but not limited to Rocket League, Valorant, and Minecraft, to name a few.

 “We are very excited that after so many years of searching for a world-class education program focused on esports it can be brought to Ecuador so that our schools can serve as seedbeds for future national esports teams, and Ecuadorian families can find a career in this field for the future”

Alfonso López, ADEE president

The ADEE’s vision is to create and foster competitive esports programs through the lens of academics and learning in Ecuador middle schools and high schools by providing assistance, organizing tournaments, and presenting information to schools and advisers. NASEF is supporting similar organizations worldwide and freely shares its unique experience in developing global educational and career pathways. As a non-profit, NASEF focuses on youth impact, emphasizing cultivating talent in all students, particularly those in underserved populations. Through its partnerships, NASEF also helps students uncover pathways to college scholarships and careers in the gaming industry around the world. 

“Research demonstrates the effectiveness of esports as a tool for meaningful STEAM and social-emotional learning,” said Gerald Solomon, founder and executive director of NASEF. “We’re thrilled to welcome ADEE to the NASEF family, where educators will be able to learn best practices from scholastic esports programs around the world. We’re excited to support the ADEE and see the growth across Ecuador in the coming years.”

Learn more at the  NASEF website or the ADEE social medias. Schools across Ecuador are invited to join ADEE and NASEF and tap into their events and resources.

About NASEF

NASEF is on a mission to provide opportunities for all students to use esports as a platform to acquire STEM/STEAM-based skills and critical communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills needed to thrive in work and in life. NASEF operates under the umbrella of the World Wide Scholastic Esports Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit headquartered in Atlanta, GA. The International Esports Federation has entrusted NASEF with training and supporting its 130+ member federations as they undertake development of scholastic esports programs. Find NASEF at NASEF.org and on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.