Our Sessions

Future-Ready Students Through Academic Esports: Stackable Credentials, AI and Emerging Career Pathways

Alan Sitomer - CEO and Founder of Mastery Coding

Friday - March 21, 2025
9:00 AM
STEM Zone Theater - Primrose A

In today’s rapidly evolving world, the skills required to succeed are shifting, and many traditional educational approaches are seeking innovative paths to keep pace with this change. As educators, it is critical to bridge the gap between disengaged students and the modern careers emerging from the technology revolution. One powerful yet often overlooked tool to achieve this is academic esports. Esports has become a billion-dollar industry with a global following, but its value in education goes far beyond gaming entertainment. Academic esports provides a unique platform for students to develop key skills needed for success in the 21st-century workforce, such as collaboration, strategic thinking, communication, and problem-solving. Even more compelling is the ability of esports to re-engage students who may have become disillusioned or disconnected from traditional learning environments. When leveraged correctly, esports can reignite a passion for learning, spark an interest in technology, and provide a pathway to emerging careers in fields such as computer science, game development, cybersecurity, and digital media. This presentation will take educators, administrators, and decision-makers through a deep dive into how academic esports can be used to transform disengaged students into future-ready learners. Through a series of case studies, research-based best practices, and real-world examples, participants will see firsthand how esports programs have been successfully implemented in schools across diverse settings to re-engage students and enhance their academic outcomes.

Careers in Esports: Unlocking Pathways in Gaming and Beyond

Peter Polygalov - Director of Marketing

Saturday - March 22, 2025
8:00 PM
STEM Zone Theater - Primrose A

In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, esports has emerged as a booming industry, projected to exceed $5 billion in the next few years. With the rise of competitive gaming, there is a growing demand for professionals in roles ranging from game development to broadcasting, IT, marketing, and more. For educators, this presents a unique opportunity to engage students by aligning their passion for gaming with viable career paths in STEM. In this session, Peter Polygalov, resident tech wizard at Mastery Coding and host of the Careers in Esports podcast, will guide educators through the exciting world of jobs in esports and gaming. The esports industry has moved far beyond just professional gaming and coaching, with countless career paths now available. Drawing from his experience interviewing industry leaders, Peter will show educators how to connect their students’ love of gaming with various career pathways, such as game design, shout casting, event production, marketing, cybersecurity, and more.  This session provides critical insights into industry trends, in-demand skills, and actionable strategies for helping students channel their passion for gaming into college and career opportunities. By the end, educators will leave with a toolkit of practical resources, industry connections, and strategies for equipping students with future-ready skills.

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STEM Zone's Esports Experience

Powered by the US Academic Esports League, Mastery Coding, and Insight

March 20 - March 22, 2025
STEM Zone - Exhibit Hall

As esports continues to grow it’s more important than ever for educators to explore the power of gaming as an educational tool. The Esports Experience, located in the STEM Zone at Spring CUE 2025, offers a hands-on opportunity to discover how academic esports can be integrated into elementary and high school classrooms. In this interactive space, educators will compete in challenge areas, play popular games, and explore the educational impact of esports through direct engagement. Whether you're new to academic esports or a seasoned esports pro, the Esports Experience provides valuable insights into how gaming fosters critical thinking, teamwork, and career exploration. Join us in the Esports Experience and see firsthand how esports is shaping the future of education!

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About the Conference

Enhancing Student Success Through Technology

‍We are so excited to attend Spring CUE 2025, a national education association serving thousands of education professionals.

All over the country teachers are discovering computers as a possible aid in their instruction and CUE's mission is to transform teaching by connecting educators with ideas, resources, and each other to use technology to prepare all students to succeed in a rapidly changing world. This conference is designed to bring educators together for innovative learning, crucial updates from speakers across the field, and an unparalleled networking opportunities!

Every school and district has heroes in every classroom, department, and office building. Whether you're a seasoned edtech enthusiast or just beginning your journey, CUE's conferences offer something for everyone. Join us and be part of a community dedicated to pushing the boundaries of education through technology.

Spring Cue 2025 partners include companies such as Adobe, CDW Education, EPSON, ViewSonic, Acer, School AI, Quizziz, and more. The Spring Cue Exhibit Hall features vendors from Amplify, ClassDojo, ClassLink, PowerSchool, Mastery Coding, zSpace, and more.

Join us in Palm Springs each March for our Spring CUE conference, where over 4000 educators gather to share insights, best practices, and inspiration. Engage in dynamic sessions, hands-on workshops, and networking opportunities, all geared towards empowering educators to drive positive change in their classrooms and beyond.

Palm Springs Convention Center
227 North Avenida Caballeros
Palm Springs, CA 92262

Booth: 116