Last month the Emerald Foundation awarded multiple schools/community based organizations throughout Pennsylvania more than $63,000 to support esports club development.

All the clubs awarded were incubated by Emerald Esports, an Emerald Foundation initiative that unites esports with career exploration by engaging and inspiring students to identify and nurture competencies awakened through esports.

The Emerald Esports initiative supports esports clubs in middle and high schools, and community-based organizations, providing free programming and competitive gaming opportunities. Different from other league based esports organizations, the Emerald Esports initiative focuses on experiential learning opportunities through competitive gaming, with students organizing and running the events, rather than on actual game play.

Jim Thorpe Area High School was one of this year’s recipients.

Over the past several years, the Emerald Foundation has been awarded two separate PAsmart grants totaling almost $1 million. These grants have allowed the foundation, through its Emerald Esports initiative, to grant almost $250,000 directly to Pennsylvania educators.

The Emerald Foundation has also launched free experiential career exploration opportunities designed to give students a better understand their core competencies and provide immersive relative experiences.