Video games in school has been a taboo phrase up until the past few years. Back in the age of virtual pets, Pokemon red/blue, and Gameboy, gaming in schools could get kids suspended or worse. We are now in 2009 and allot has changed. Individuals can major in gaming development or become professional gamers without prejudice of mainstream society telling them that gaming isn’t work.
Only a few years ago did female gamers start making a name for themselves in the industry. In a largely male dominated genre, women are moving up on the ladder as pro gamers, level designers and conceptual artists. Companies and even schools are becoming more open to video games as a whole.
In response to the growing popularity of gaming and technology Palmdale High School in Antelope Valley, California created an ROP class for students known as Falcon Tech. Falcon Tech is sponsored by Devry University and offers courses on: Intro to Computer Science (Networking, Computer Repair, Internet), Advanced Computer Science (Certifications, Internships), Computer Science Engineering (Technology Projects), Computer Science Simulations (GameDesign). The class was implemented at the school in 2005.
During the summer I was able to meet with some of incredible young women who go by the name of “Team Falcon Tech” as an all girl clan for their school. I interviewed the girls to see their reactions on what it was like to be on an all female team in High School.
VK - “Thank you for taking the time to talk with me girls, it’s really incredible that your gaming in school. How were you approached with the opportunity of being on a High School gaming team? ”
Brooke Watson - “My Brother was in Mr. Moreno’s class and I would go in once in a while. I found out that I really like the class and that was about the time when he talked about making a gaming team. My brother talked me into joining it and I love it!!”
VK - “Do you think that other schools should implement programs like this in the future?”
Sarah McElvy - “I think this is a great thing for schools and by being on a gaming team it’s just like any other sport. With grade requirements and behavior as a motivation to do better in school to stay on the team. ”
VK - “What skills do you feel your developing while participating in this program? ”
Jessica Frierson, “I am developing coordination skills and teamwork.”
Jennifer Porteus, “Obviously, practicing the games with others improves my gaming skills, but beyond that I have better hand-eye coordination. Also, we learn to work together as a team and my friendships with the other girls has gotten stronger. ”
VK - “What is it like being a female in High school on an all female team? How do your peers react? ”
Jennifer Porteus, “Being on a team is extremely fun, the girls are nice and it’s easy to talk to them because you have a common ground. The guys on the other hand are sometimes snide and have rude comments but after a little while they warm up to the idea of a female gaming team. Most of my peers at school that aren’t involved seem to be confused by the idea of integrating a gaming team into a school. My parents unlike most of the others are extremely supportive of my involvement.”
Jessica Frierson -”I feel real good about it. I love being one of the few girls who play games. I don’t get much of a reaction from students but, adults are surprised when they see a teenage girl play Resistance with the ‘big boys.’”
VK - “What are some of your favorite games? ”
Brooke - “UT3, Kingdom Hearts. Resident evil 4, and lots lots more!!! ”
Jennifer - “classics like Super Mario Bros., and Duck Hunt will always be my favorite and I also love arcade games like time Crisis and Area 51, but I like more current games such as Unreal Tournament and Dead or Alive ”
Jessica - “Rock Band, Unreal Tournament, Sly Cooper, Resistance, Spyro, Soul Calibur 4 and Kingdom Hearts 2.”
Nancy - “Rock Band and Brawl are awesome games and I also enjoy Guitar Hero.”
Sarah - “UT (Unreal Tournament), God of War I and II, a few of the Grand Theft Auto’s. Chaos Legion. Kingdom Hearts I and II. Mortal Kombat. All of the Sonic games. Pac-Man. ”
VK - “Are you planning on a career in the gaming industry after high school? ”
Sarah McElvy - “I would love to have a career in the gaming industry after high school, but I would want to hone the skills I have to be a better gamer. Even if I don’t pursue a career in the gaming industry after high school I’ll never stop playing.”
VK - “What inspires you to participate in Team Falcon Tech? ”
Sarah McElvy - “Falcontech is like a home to me, no matter how dorky that may sound. I like most of the people there and I get along with them. Most of us hang together so why not game together. I as well as some of the others can be pretty combative and being on a team helps give us an excuse to be combative. Plus it’s a fun atmosphere to be in and its awesome to be able to say you where there at the beginning of all this.”
Jennifer Porteus - “The other students and Moreno inspire me to participate as well as my love to be involved. I love to be involved and Moreno’s has encouraged me and all the other students to be involved in this program because it is like no other. ”
VK - “Does this program help you develop required skill for a career in game industry? ”
Nancy Plascencia - “I think so because you have developed experience on the topic and you know whats expected and the work required.”
Jessica Frierson - “I believe it does help because in retrospect, it’s a mini version of the pro-gaming industry.”
VK - “Thank you all very much for attending E for All and supporting technology and gaming as a whole. It means allot to GEN and others in the industry. It’s people like you who make it great! Thank you so very much for dropping by our booth. I was so very excited to meet you girls!”
Team Falcon Tech is one of those gaming in school success stories that you don’t hear about everyday. Palmdale High School is one of very few schools that implemented this incredible ROP class to offer to it’s students. More schools should take note, technology in schools is our future.
If you would like to know more about Falcon Tech at Palmdale High School see their website for further information: http://infotech.phsfalcons.org/
January 2nd, 2009 at 1:35 pm
I completely forgot about these girls!
Awesome program, great write up!
January 2nd, 2009 at 1:40 pm
Thanks, ya I know it’s late. I have been busy. I promise you’ll see more of me.
January 2nd, 2009 at 10:36 pm
Great article! This is such an amazing program, I wish they had this when I was in school!
January 7th, 2009 at 12:33 am
Agreed, programs like this need to be promoted!!
January 8th, 2009 at 8:42 pm
Schools aren’t the only education facility that is starting to support video gaming in their programs. My local library began to include gaming in theirs as well.
Below is a link to my library’s newsletter for Spring 08.
http://www.solanolibrary.com/uploadedFiles/Solano_County_Extranet/News/Landing_Page_Content/Check_it_out_spr08.pdf (Flip to page 9 for the article) First they found out that playing games such as Runescape and WoW weren’t causing any disruption, and that it actually made the Library a fun and enriching place to be. Since then, they’ve added LAN parties, DDR nights and other activities.
May 18th, 2009 at 12:54 am
Got to your site via a Yahoo link while searching for supercars! Glad I stumbled upon it.