The Story of Elite Gaming Academy

Elite Gaming Academy, in partnership with Syracuse City School District and Erie 21, set out to offer a space where high school students could explore technology, creativity, and real-world applications of science through esports. 

For Philip Fargo, a secondary science teacher with a degree in environmental science and marine biology, this was a chance to bring learning to life:

“We wanted to offer students more than just the opportunity to play games. We’re creating a safe space and a learning environment where they can engage in something meaningful, something that ultimately enriches and benefits them. “ – Philip Fargo

About the Educator: Philip Fargo

Philip Fargo is a high school science teacher at Corcoran High School in Syracuse and a coach at Elite Gaming Academy. With a background in environmental science and sustainability, he joined the Elite Gaming Academy as a coach to help students reconnect with STEM and prepare for future careers.

“This was my first time using Unreal Engine. I got to learn it alongside the students and it’s been a blast.” – Philip Fargo

Impact Spotlight

The Challenge: Reaching Students with More Than Math on Paper

Some of Philip’s students have struggled in previous courses. Traditional methods such as worksheets, static models, and lectures did not click well.

“I teach students who failed to complete the course the first time. We work on how to solidify that knowledge and really learn as individuals.” – Philip Fargo

He needed something to help bring abstract concepts like physics and simple machines into a form students could build and connect with. That is when the Building a Rube Goldberg Machine in Unreal Engine came into play.

“The curriculum made students think about physics in a way that’s more than just math on paper. They had to see it move.” – Philip Fargo

The Solution: From Cluttered Platforms to a Focused, Student-First Experience

The school district knew that real engagement starts with student interest. By embracing esports and game-based learning through Elite Academy and implementing Gameplan, they’ve started to see meaningful change in how students learn and connect. 

Students also shifted from Canvas to Gameplan, which changed how students interacted with their learning. 

“Canvas had too many tabs, too many clickables. Gameplan removed that congestion. Students were like, ‘Wait, is it really this easy?’” – Philip Fargo

Key Gameplan Features That Made a Difference:

• Customizable student avatars that created ownership and identity

• Loot box incentive for logging in, keeping students engaged

• Clear scheduling tools on the homepage calendar

• Clean, intuitive navigation that simplified virtual learning

“Students want to know what they’ll be doing. Mapping that out clearly made a huge difference.” – Philip Fargo

How Elite Gaming Academy Used Gameplan

Phase 1: Initial Implementation 

Philip taught the Gameplan-powered Rube Goldberg course inside Unreal Engine 5. It was his first time using the software and he learned it alongside his students.

“We sat down and learned the curriculum together. Their successes and stumbles were mine too.” -  Philip Fargo

Students learned in each lesson how physics can be brought to life by technology. They weren’t just completing drills but also creating functional digital machines that applied real-world mechanics.

"My approach is to treat the course as a roadmap. Along the way, students often discover creative pockets, moments where they can take the knowledge from a lesson, personalize it, and make it their own. It’s through this process that their understanding deepens, and by the time they reach the final assignment or drill, they’re able to show real proficiency in a way that’s unique to them." -  Philip Fargo

Phase 2: Student Growth and Social Learning

As students started to get more accustomed to the platform, something powerful started happening. They began teaching each other.

“Students would go from ‘What button do I press?’ to turning around and teaching the next person how to do it. That’s how I brought the social aspect into the class.” - Philip Fargo

The Results: Turning Curiosity into Confidence

From confidence and engagement to creativity and community, the shift in student experience was clear.

• Increased understanding of physics through dynamic, visual problem-solving

• Technical skill development in Unreal Engine

• Peer support and leadership emerged organically

• Comfortable, tech-forward learning space via the Elite Gaming Arena

• New perspective on where and how learning happens

"The program went really well. Many students entered not fully knowing what to expect, but over just a few sessions, I witnessed a real transformation. I’d hear things like, 'Oh, I’m working on this cool, tech-based project using the same graphic software and processing power behind the games I play at home.' It was incredibly rewarding to help them see the other side of gaming, not just as players, but as creators."  - Philip Fargo

Let’s Hear From Philip Fargo Himself 

Key Takeaways

• Immersive Tools Drive Real Learning: Gameplan + Unreal turned abstract concepts into tangible understanding

• Digital Identity Matters: Avatars and personalization increased student ownership

• Simplifying the LMS Unlocks Participation: Gameplan’s intuitive design removed the barriers of traditional platforms

• Learning Is Collaborative: Students teaching each other was a highlight of the experience

• Beyond the Classroom Walls: Esports and game-based learning helped redefine where learning takes place

“The Gameplan homepage is amazing. it’s the first thing students see when they log in, and it sets the tone for an ideal virtual classroom experience. There’s an element of personalization through the Avatar Customizer, which gives students a sense of identity and ownership in the digital space. On top of that, the lootbox incentive system adds motivation to engage consistently. One of the most impactful features is the calendar on the landing page. It helps students clearly see what’s due and when, making facilitation and communication smooth and effective." - Philip Fargo

Creating Your Success Story

Want to transform how your students experience STEM?

What turns physics from numbers on a page into something a student can see, move, build, and believe in? At Philip’s class at the Elite Gaming Academy, the answer was game-based learning. And Gameplan helped support and bring this vision to life.

If you’re an educator, school leader, or program coordinator wondering what’s possible, let us help you! You don’t need to be an expert in Unreal. You just need the right tools and the right mindset. Plus, your students will get a chance to gain workforce credentials to help with their future careers.

Schedule a demo and start designing your own success story today.