Our Philosophy
We believe that gaming is a great experience for children, as long as it is approached with an active understanding of youth development. This includes acknowledging that children and teens require a balance of academic and non-academic experiences which encompass creative outlets, social interaction, and opportunities to utilize ingenuity and invention. Although technology for youth has yielded incredible opportunities for exploration into different worlds and learning, the children often do not have the tools or knowledge to avoid the pitfalls that come with the increasingly easy access to technology. Metro Game Lab is a environment which cultivates healthy and guided access to gaming technology with the goal of equipping youth with a framework to follow for being successful in a world of screens.
Our Approach
Our approach stems from our team’s diverse backgrounds in education, child development, science, technology and of course, games. It is designed to be conducive to social interaction and collaboration. We believe that setting boundaries is an important component for success within the gaming framework. The simplest boundary to set is a physical boundary of space. Families should approach Metro Game Lab as an extension of their own home. We view ourselves as a shared family rec room where youth can drop in and relax with friends in a controlled and safe environment. We offer a variety of different ways in which you can use Metro Game Lab to meet your individual needs. Please view our menu of event options along with our courses and leagues to get a sense of what is available.
Our Team
Will Gladstone, Founder and CEO: Will received his Ph.D. in Computational Biology and has spent the last 10 years developing scalable scientific and web applications. He is an avid technology buff and loves exploring ways in which new technology can interact with our day to day life. He has been a gamer since 1988 and believes that gaming can offer youth with a positive skill set to succeed in today’s world when introduced with a defined set of rules and boundaries.
Arul Sundaram, Co-Founder and COO: Arul received his MBA in Finance and Management from NYU. He specializes in digital marketing, content distribution and performance based revenue.
Our Advisory Board
- Kristin Carothers, PhD Child Psychology: Kristin J. Carothers received her MA/Ph.D. in clinical child psychology. Her expertise includes school consultation and intervention, Parent Management Training, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for children, adolescents and adults.
- Perry LaRoque, PhD Special Education: Perry LaRoque is the founder and president of Mansfield Hall, an innovative residential college support program for diverse learners. He earned his doctorate in special education from the University of Wisconsin and has served in a variety of leadership roles serving at-risk youth and people with disabilities.
- Cheryl Gladstone, MBA