On Thursday, 24th April, EStars hosted an inspiring Esports Certificate Workshop Day at the Yas Creative Hub in Abu Dhabi, bringing together curious and enthusiastic students aged 10–12 for a full day of discovery, creativity and learning. This unique educational experience gave students a chance to step into the rapidly evolving world of esports while earning a certificate accredited by the NOCN Group, a respected body at the forefront of vocational education and skills development.
The workshop introduced learners to one of EStars’ entry level qualifications: Esports Then, Now & The Future. The session began by transporting students back to the origins of esports in 1972 at Stanford University, where the first competitive video game event was held. From there, they explored major milestones and key developments in the industry, culminating in discussions around modern global tournaments such as the Esports World Cup, with its jaw-dropping $70 million prize pool.
But this workshop was more than just a history lesson.
“I really enjoyed the workshop day and I wish I could do it again” – Shamsa, Aged 10
Through a range of interactive, hands-on activities, students brought their learning to life. They worked collaboratively to build timelines of major events in esports, discussed influential players, organisations and tournaments in history and even tapped into their imaginations to design futuristic consoles that could define the next generation of gaming.
The content was delivered by the expert team at EStars in tandem with engaging videos created by EStars’ industry experts and experienced teachers, ensuring a balanced mix of entertainment and education. These videos sparked lively, thought-provoking discussions between students and teachers around the evolution of esports and where the industry could go in the years ahead.
“The activities were varied which I think the students enjoyed. They had to watch the videos and use their knowledge and were then able to be creative with what they had learnt. I enjoyed listening to the conversations the students were having and how they were able to develop their ideas as the day went on.” – Kate, Class Teacher
To track learning progress, students took a baseline quiz at the beginning of the day and then completed a revised version of the same quiz at the end, with questions and answers reshuffled to ensure a fair assessment. The results were impressive: the average score rose from 4/12 to 10/12, a remarkable 150% increase in knowledge!
The workshop concluded with a celebration of achievement. Students shared their enthusiasm with the EStars team, expressing how much they enjoyed the activities and how proud they were to earn a certificate. Many voiced excitement about completing more EStars Esports Certificates in the future.
This workshop was a testament to the power of engaging, real-world learning. It gave students an early insight into one of the fastest-growing industries in the world, while building confidence, curiosity and a sense of accomplishment. For many, it marked the start of their journey in esports education—and the beginning of something truly exciting.