New York Videogame Critics Circle founder and editor in chief Harold Goldberg will appear on a panel today at 2 p.m. at the Games for Change conference in New York City. The panel topic is “Beyond STEM, SEL Skills In Game Design Curriculum.” It will be moderated by Games for Change President Susanna Pollack and also feature Dr. Leah Hanes from Two Bit Circus and Philip Courtney from Urban Arts Partnership.

Said Goldberg, “One of the important points I want to stress is why we offer long-term mentoring of students beginning in high school, through college, and into the journalism and games industries. We don’t simply offer a scholarship and leave. We empathize. We understand. We help for years on end.”

According to the program description, “The urgent, and by now familiar, call to educate youth in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) is being matched in many quarters with an equally urgent call: to educate the “whole student” by emphasizing social and emotional learning (SEL). Increasingly SEL is seen as equally essential as STEM for students to thrive in school, career, and life. Panelists will discuss how their programs and curricula that teach game-design can advance SEL competencies such goal-setting, social engagement, cooperation, empathy, and problem solving—while also complementing STEM’s cognitive goals and inspiring interest in STEM careers.”