Erie 1 BOCES Calspan Center in Cheektowaga, New York on DonorsChoose

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Your generosity will truly level up their learning!","fullyFundedDate":1746786213273,"projectUrl":"project/android-tablets-for-esports-management-/9152681/","projectTitle":"Android Tablets for Esports Management & Game Development","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Killion","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9837938_orig.jpg?crop=4000,4000,x0,y120&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1731603676646","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9837938"},{"teacherId":9837938,"projectId":9131850,"letterContent":"We are writing to express our sincere gratitude for your incredible generosity in funding our \"Level Up Learning\" project and bringing the PlayStation Portal to our Esports Management and Game Development class. The impact of this technology on our students has been truly transformative, opening up new avenues for learning and engagement that we couldn't have previously imagined.\r\n\r\nMany of you utilize technology in your daily lives, but the specific applications within an educational setting, particularly in a specialized field like ours, might be less familiar. The PlayStation Portal has become a dynamic learning tool in several key ways. Firstly, it has demystified the growing realm of cloud gaming and remote play. For students aspiring to careers in esports management, understanding the infrastructure and accessibility of platforms like this is crucial. They can now directly experience how games are streamed and played remotely, analyzing the implications for competitive gaming events, broadcasting, and fan engagement. This hands-on interaction provides a depth of understanding that theoretical discussions simply cannot replicate. They are learning about latency, network requirements, and the potential for wider accessibility in esports, all through direct engagement with the technology.\r\n\r\nSecondly, for our game development students, the Portal offers a unique perspective on cross-platform possibilities and the importance of streaming capabilities in modern gaming. They are exploring how games designed for a console environment can be adapted and experienced on a portable device, considering user interface design, streaming optimization, and the potential for companion apps or integrated experiences. This expands their understanding of the diverse ways in which games are consumed today and encourages them to think beyond traditional development boundaries.\r\n\r\nThe novelty and functionality of the PlayStation Portal have generated immense excitement among our students. The ability to seamlessly access high-fidelity PlayStation 5 games on a portable screen has been a revelation. It bridges the gap for students who may not have consistent access to a dedicated console at home, allowing them to participate fully in class activities and discussions related to specific games and their mechanics. The sleek design and intuitive interface have also made it incredibly appealing and easy to integrate into their learning. They are particularly excited about the potential for analyzing professional esports streams on the device, breaking down gameplay frame by frame, and studying the strategies employed by top players in a portable and convenient format. The ability to experiment with mobile esports concepts and brainstorm game ideas that could leverage similar streaming technology has also sparked considerable enthusiasm.\r\n\r\nWe have seen several students particularly thrive with the introduction of the PlayStation Portal. One student, Alex, has become one of the most engaged participants in our gameplay analysis sessions. The Portal has provided her with a direct connection to the games we discuss, allowing her to contribute insightful observations and strategies. Her confidence and participation have noticeably increased. Another student, Elliot, has been captivated by the remote play functionality. He has been experimenting with different control schemes and user interface adaptations, generating innovative ideas for mobile companion apps for console games. He even presented a prototype concept that leveraged the Portal's streaming capabilities for asynchronous multiplayer experiences. These are just two examples of how the PlayStation Portal has empowered individual students, providing them with the tools and access to explore their interests and excel in our class.\r\n\r\nThe PlayStation Portal has not just been a piece of technology; it has been a catalyst for deeper learning, increased engagement, and greater inclusivity within our Esports Management and Game Development class. Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for making this invaluable resource a reality for our students. Your belief in their potential is truly inspiring.","fullyFundedDate":1745847029247,"projectUrl":"project/empowering-future-esports-pros-game-de/9131850/","projectTitle":"Empowering Future Esports Pros & Game Devs With PlayStation Portal","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Killion","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9837938_orig.jpg?crop=4000,4000,x0,y120&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1731603676646","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9837938"},{"teacherId":9837938,"projectId":8944621,"letterContent":"I am writing to express our sincere gratitude for your generous support of our classroom project focused on accessibility in gaming. Your contributions made it possible for us to purchase both the Xbox Adaptive Controller and the PlayStation Access Controller, tools that have proven invaluable in expanding our students' understanding of inclusive game design and the diverse needs of gamers. These controllers have allowed students to experience firsthand the challenges and triumphs faced by individuals with disabilities, fostering empathy and inspiring them to think creatively about solutions that promote accessibility for all. We've witnessed incredible moments of collaboration and problem-solving as students worked together to adapt games and create custom control schemes, demonstrating a true commitment to inclusivity.\r\n\r\nThanks to your generosity, our students have gained a deeper appreciation for the importance of accessible technology and the power of gaming to connect people of all abilities. 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About this school

Erie 1 BOCES Calspan Center is a public school in Cheektowaga, New York that is part of [County run]. Its teachers have had 4 projects funded on DonorsChoose.

Equity Focus School

Support towards this school will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Public School

Grades Not specified

# of students unavailable

# of teachers unavailable

4411 Genesee Street, Suite 200

Cheektowaga, NY 14225 View local requests

https://www.e1b.org/en/about-us/calspan-career-and-technical-education-center.aspx

Evidence-based impact

Inspire teachers to stay in the classroom and boost student achievement.¹

Give to this school

Ms. Vero, a DonorsChoose teacher for 9 years.

Kindergarten teacher at PS81 - Robert J. Christen School in Bronx, NY

Erie 1 BOCES Calspan Center Teachers on DonorsChoose

Mr. Ceppaglia

Mr. Killion

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Erie 1 BOCES Calspan Center Demographics

58%

of students receive free or reduced price lunch

Source: US Census Data for the surrounding geographic area

19%

of students are Black, Latino, Native American, or Asian

Schools in districts that mainly serve students of color receive substantially less state and local support than similar districts that serve primarily White students. Learn more about this gap, why it exists, and how you can help close it.

Erie 1 BOCES Calspan Center Support on DonorsChoose Last updated Dec 5, 2025

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