Carroll HS- BDPA Northeast Louisiana STEAM Academy 3rd Place State Farm Esports Competition

Monroe, LA – BDPA Northeast Louisiana STEAM Academy proudly secured 3rd place in the State Farm Esports Competition at the 49th annual BDPA Conference. This prestigious event featured a variety of challenges including game development, team tournaments, and individual competitions, highlighting the exceptional talent of students in the academy.

The esports competition aims to ignite interest and engagement in computer science and STEM fields through the dynamic and exciting world of esports. By leveraging the appeal of gaming, the competition serves as a gateway to coding, offering a perfect entry point for students with no prior coding experience. Participants learn to conceptualize, design, and create their own games, gaining valuable skills that open doors to future opportunities in STEM careers.

The comprehensive curriculum provided by BDPA Northeast Louisiana STEAM Academy is designed to be both fun and educational. Students develop impressive digital portfolios of their unique work, gaining hands-on experience that directly translates to fields they wish to pursue. The engaging nature of the courses ensures that students are both challenged and motivated to achieve their goals.

This year's State Farm Esports Tournament, hosted by STEAMsport, Inc. and BDPA, welcomed participants of all age groups and featured the popular game NBA 2K. The event attracted a wide range of competitors and spectators. The BDPA conference sponsor participation included major companies including IBM, Intel, Molson Coors, Lilly, Johnson & Johnson, State Farm, and Cisco. Local sponsors included Representative Pat Moore, Representative Andiran Fisher, Senator Katrina Jackson, EJMAX Solution, Success Prep, Louisiana Workforce Number 81, and Carroll High School STEAM Program.

"When we work together, we win," said EJ Maxwell, Founder of BDPA Northeast Louisiana STEAM Academy. "Our students' success in this competition is a testament to their hard work, dedication, and the collaborative spirit of our academy."

BDPA, originally founded as Black Data Processing Associates in Philadelphia, PA in 1975, has spent nearly 50 years promoting the upward mobility of African Americans and others who reside in disenfranchised communities. The organization continues to champion innovation, technical upskilling, and professional development in computer science, data science, and STEAM fields while promoting publications, regional technology conferences, and career expos. BDPA STEAM Academy educate, provide exposure and opportunities to ensure a strong IT Workforce within Ouachita and Morehouse Parish. "When we Work Together, we Win"!More information about BDPA Northeast Louisiana STEAM Academy contact us at [email protected].