JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – In an innovative fusion of education and gaming, the City of Jacksonville has initiated a citywide Build Challenge utilizing Minecraft Education, aimed at engaging students across Duval County. This initiative leverages the immense popularity of Minecraft, a game that has captivated over 300 million players worldwide, allowing them to construct diverse structures and imaginative worlds.
The New Jax City Build Challenge
Dr. Nadine Ebri, CEO of Ebri Education and a key figure in Minecraft Education, expressed enthusiasm for the project, stating, “The New Jax City build challenge invites all students, whether they attend public, private, or charter schools, or participate through non-profits, to use Minecraft Education to envision bold solutions for the future of Jacksonville.”
On Monday, the city unveiled a virtual Minecraft world featuring a detailed model of downtown Jacksonville, complete with realistic representations of iconic buildings and city services. Participants even have the opportunity to interact with select city leaders within the game. Ashantae Green, sustainability manager for the City of Jacksonville, shared a personal anecdote, noting, “When I told my 11-year-old son that I was in the game, his eyebrows shot up. He said, ‘Wait, you’re in the game? Okay, mom, you’re actually cool now.’”
At the heart of this initiative lies a competition that encourages students to explore and innovate. As they navigate the city, they are tasked with designing their own sustainable and resilient riverfront community hub, which must meet several criteria:
- Publicly accessible
- Prepared for extreme heat, flooding, and hurricanes
- Focused on environmental stewardship and sustainability
Goals of the Program
The City of Jacksonville has outlined several key objectives for the program:
- Inspire Creativity & Innovation: Encourage students to reimagine Jacksonville’s future through game-based learning, gathering their input on the city’s development.
- Advance STEM & Urban Planning: Provide hands-on experience in infrastructure design, urban planning, and problem-solving to shape the city’s future.
- Strengthen Civic Engagement: Connect students, schools, and government through creative outreach, helping students explore city plans, projects, and professional roles in various sectors.
- Develop 21st-Century Skills: Foster leadership, collaboration, digital literacy, problem-solving, and critical thinking in students.
- Celebrate Student Achievements: Honor student contributions with a high-profile competition and public recognition, showcasing their impact on the city.
Mayor Donna Deegan emphasized the significance of the initiative, stating, “This is more than a game; it is more than a competition.” Jacksonville joins a global network of 25 cities across nine countries participating in the Minecraft Education program.
Excitement is palpable among students. Brayden Elliot, a sixth grader at Springfield Middle School, rated his enthusiasm as “11” on a scale of one to ten. Duval County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Christopher Bernier remarked on the power of curiosity in education, noting, “When you touch a student’s curiosity, their focus becomes almost immediate. These kids are really curious.”
Students can collaborate in teams of up to five, with two alternates, and all Duval County students are eligible to participate. The first round of submissions is due by noon on May 2, where judges will evaluate the entries.
The top eight teams will progress to the Mayor’s Cup, culminating in an in-person esports-style challenge in front of city leaders and subject matter experts. Dr. Bernier expressed confidence in the potential of students, stating, “Given the right tutelage and direction, our kids will far exceed expectations.”
For those interested in participating, further details can be found at www.jacksonville.gov/minecraft.
