A. Applicant is OSD Employee: Yes
B. Narrative does not exceed 2-3 pages: Yes
C. Application includes budget: Yes
D. Request discussed with OSD departments: Athletics, Educational Support, Technology
E. Application has all required signatures: No
Project Narrative
Project Title: Expanding OSD Student Engagement Through Esports Program Development
This project proposes expanding the Oregon School for Deaf (OSD) student Esports program by purchasing two additional gaming computers and new desks for the current seven participating students. The Esports program has quickly become a valuable extracurricular opportunity that promotes teamwork, communication, strategic thinking, and student engagement through organized competitive gaming.
Currently, the Esports team has seven students participating, but the available equipment and workspace are limited. Students often must share computers or rotate usage, which restricts practice time and prevents the program from expanding to additional interested students. The current workspace also lacks appropriate desks designed to safely and effectively support gaming equipment.
The requested funding will allow the program to purchase two additional computers and replace the existing workspace with seven desks designed to accommodate gaming setups. This will allow each current team member to have an appropriate workstation while also enabling the program to recruit additional students in the future.
The Esports program aligns with OSD goals of increasing student engagement, fostering inclusive extracurricular opportunities, and building skills relevant to the modern digital world. Esports also provides a structured environment where students practice leadership, collaboration, and problem-solving while representing their school in organized competition.
By supporting this project, the Foundation of OSD (FOSD) will help strengthen a program that connects students to school, builds community, and encourages participation from students who may not traditionally engage in athletics or other extracurricular activities.
Project Purpose, Goals, and Objectives
The purpose of this project is to improve the infrastructure of the OSD Esports program so that current students can participate more effectively and additional students can join the team in the future.
Research and best practices in education show that extracurricular activities significantly improve student engagement, academic motivation, and school connection. Esports programs in schools have grown nationwide because they offer many of the same benefits as traditional athletics while also developing digital literacy and technology skills.
Educational benefits of Esports programs include:
Development of teamwork and collaboration skills
Strategic thinking and decision-making
Communication and leadership development
Increased student connection to school activities
Exposure to technology-related career pathways
Providing adequate equipment and workspace ensures students can practice effectively and safely while maintaining a structured team environment.
Project Goals
Improve the functionality and organization of the Esports practice space.
Ensure each current team member has access to appropriate equipment.
Support future expansion of the Esports team.
Increase student engagement through technology-based extracurricular activities.
Objectives
Purchase and install two additional Esports-capable computers.
Provide seven appropriate desks to create organized student workstations.
Maintain a structured team environment for seven current students while preparing for expansion to additional participants.
Project Benefits
This project addresses a growing need within OSD for extracurricular programs that engage students with diverse interests. The Esports program provides an inclusive activity for students who may not participate in traditional sports but still want to represent their school in competitive events.
Students Who Will Benefit
Seven current Esports team members will directly benefit from improved equipment and workspaces.
The program will be able to expand to additional students in future seasons, potentially serving 10–12 students or more as interest grows.
Benefits to Students
Students participating in the Esports program will benefit by:
Developing teamwork and collaboration skills
Practicing communication in competitive environments
Improving strategic thinking and problem-solving
Learning responsible technology use
Building confidence through organized competition
The improved workspace will also create a safer and more organized environment for equipment, ensuring the program can continue operating successfully for several years.
Project Evaluation
The success of this project will be evaluated through participation levels, student engagement, and team development.
Evaluation Methods
Student Participation Tracking
The number of students actively participating in the Esports program will be monitored throughout the season.
Program Expansion
The ability to add additional team members after the equipment upgrade will be used as a key indicator of success.
Student Feedback
Students will provide informal feedback about the improved equipment and workspace environment.
Team Performance and Engagement
Coaches will evaluate whether improved equipment access leads to increased practice time and improved team coordination.
The results of these evaluation measures will be summarized and included in a report submitted to FOSD after the project concludes.
Proposed Budget
The requested funds will support the purchase of additional Esports computers, desks for all current team members, and necessary setup equipment. These items will allow each student to have a dedicated workstation and provide the infrastructure needed for program growth.
Item Description Cost
Esports Computers (2) High-performance gaming computers capable of running competitive Esports titles used by school leagues $2,026
Student Gaming Desks (7) Durable desks designed to support gaming monitors, keyboards, and computers $2,135
Additional Equipment & Setup Cables, surge protectors, mouse pads, and other accessories needed for safe setup $2,552.86
Subtotal (After Shipping) $6,651.04
Shipping and tax costs may apply depending on vendor pricing.
Project Timeline
August – September 2026 Purchase computers and desks
September 2026 Setup of Esports workspace
October 2026 Begin team practices using new equipment
October 2026 – March 2027 Esports season and competitions
April 2027 Evaluate program growth and student participation
May 2027 Submit final report to FOSD
Funding Needs:
Funds will be needed at the beginning of the project period (August–September 2026) in order to purchase equipment before the competitive season begins.
Project Reporting and Accountability
The Esports program will be supervised by the team advisor responsible for coordinating practices, managing equipment, and overseeing competitions.
Project Lead:
Mahon Kelly and Kelsey Gilstrap
Responsibilities
Manage purchasing and setup of equipment
Supervise student use of equipment
Track student participation and engagement
Ensure equipment is maintained properly
Prepare and submit the final report to FOSD
The project lead will be accountable for ensuring that the funds are used according to the approved proposal. A final report describing the outcomes of the project will be submitted to FOSD within sixty (60) days of the project’s completion.
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