A group of six fifth-grade girls from P.S. 86 Kingsbridge Heights School has emerged as the champions of the Bronx in the Minecraft Education “Battle of the Boroughs.” This innovative competition invites students to envision a more sustainable urban landscape through the popular game, Minecraft. With a remarkable participation of 3,395 students across 679 teams, the Kingsbridge Heights team was one of only 15 to reach the prestigious Mayor’s Cup Final, representing their borough alongside other elementary, middle, and high school teams.
Participants are tasked with creating a virtual world based on a prompt provided by judges, utilizing a coding program to collaborate effectively within a limited timeframe. Teams are evaluated on their communication skills, presentation quality, and the relevance and accessibility of their design features. This competition is a highlight of the New York City Video Game Festival, a collaborative initiative involving the mayor’s office, New York City Public Schools, and the NYC Collegiate Esports Circuit Finals, aimed at engaging students in the future of their city.
Transformative Experiences
On May 9, the girls showcased their hard work in the Mayor’s Cup Final. Although they did not clinch the top prize, their computer science teacher, Kim Judin, noted the significant growth the girls experienced throughout the season. Many who initially displayed shyness gained confidence, while others stepped into leadership roles, learning to navigate the pressures of tight deadlines as a cohesive unit.
In the regional competition held in March, the team had just 30 minutes to research and another 30 to design a cleaner, safer, and more efficient version of the Hunts Point Food Distribution Center, a critical hub in the South Bronx facing pollution challenges. Working diligently, the girls crafted a Minecraft world featuring additional lanes to alleviate traffic, solar-powered lighting, green spaces, and a farmers market. Eleven-year-old Leeah Gonzalez took on the role of speaker, presenting their creation to the judges with pride and confidence.
“I felt very proud of myself,” Leeah reflected, recalling her determination as she spoke before the judges. “It took a lot of guts to be speaking up there.”
The girls quickly adapted to coding through Microsoft’s MakeCode, a user-friendly platform that allows them to drag and drop color-coded blocks to create their code. For Yafatou Bayo, 12, the primary coder of the team, this was a familiar territory. She had previously dabbled in Scratch, an online coding program, and sought to join the club to build her confidence.
“The whole reason why I joined the club was to kind of gain confidence,” Yafatou shared. “I feel like I’ve cracked a little bit out of my shell.”
Team Dynamics and Creativity
Another key player, Zurisadai Quiroga-Vazquez, age 10, served as the team’s “driver,” guiding viewers through their Minecraft world during presentations. She emphasized the importance of teamwork and camaraderie, even when faced with challenges. “It’s a game that doesn’t have limits,” Zurisadai said, highlighting the creative freedom Minecraft offers.
Joselyn Castrejon, also 10, echoed this sentiment, expressing her love for building freely in the game. The team’s performance was not solely judged on the content of their world but also on their collaborative spirit. Leeah noted that while disagreements occasionally arose, they always managed to resolve conflicts through open communication.
“Sometimes we do argue, like a lot,” Joselyn admitted, explaining that tensions can flare when deciding how to allocate time for various features. “But then we end up talking it out.”
The girls shared a glimpse of one of their creations—a reimagined version of their school, complete with a sky-high representation of their mascot, a tiger. The virtual campus featured a gated garden with flowing water, an auditorium, a library, a cafeteria, and classrooms populated with digital versions of their teachers. Gracie Deleon, 11, took charge of the electrical aspects, ensuring sustainability through the use of Redstone, a resource within Minecraft. The team also prioritized accessibility by incorporating automatic doors and ramps.
Adriana Cortes, 10, served as the team’s alternate, ready to step in if needed. Although she didn’t compete in the regional event, she enjoyed the camaraderie of her friends during practice sessions. As the girls prepare to transition to middle school, Judin hopes they will carry forward the confidence and teamwork skills they have cultivated throughout this enriching experience.
