Minecraft Education Archives

AppWizard

June 12, 2025

Queens high school students take top prize in NYC Minecraft Battle of the Boroughs

A team of students from World Journalism Preparatory in Queens, named ‘Diamond Sword Bustamoney,’ won the inaugural NYC Video Games Festival in the high school division of the Minecraft Education “Battle of the Boroughs” competition. Their victory followed a three-stage tournament that included preliminary digital submissions, borough-level championships, and a final showdown on May 31. This is the first time a Queens school has won the title since the competition began in 2021. The event was organized by the New York City Department of Education in collaboration with Microsoft and the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment, originally conceived during the COVID-19 pandemic. The team defeated the defending champions from Staten Island’s Tottenville High School. The winning team consists of five 11th-grade students.

AppWizard

June 9, 2025

Texas YouTuber recreates San Antonio Tower Life Building in ‘Minecraft’

Eric, a Texas-based YouTuber known for his channel Mogswamp, has dedicated over 500 hours of gameplay and a year of planning to recreate the Tower Life building in Minecraft. He became fascinated with the building, the fifth tallest in San Antonio, due to its distinctive design and visibility across the city. To ensure accuracy in his recreation, Eric researched drone footage, historical background, blueprints, and took his own photographs. The San Antonio Museum of Science and Technology (SAMSAT) is using Minecraft Education to engage students in various subjects, offering summer camps that incorporate technology and education. The Tower Life building is currently undergoing renovations to convert vacant office floors into apartment units while remaining a prominent feature of the San Antonio skyline.

AppWizard

May 31, 2025

NYC students use Minecraft to reimagine inclusive, sustainable spaces in citywide challenge

The all-girl team from P.S. 86 participated in the Minecraft Education Challenge for the second year, focusing on designing a sustainable and inclusive space at Orchard Beach. The challenge, part of the Battle of the Boroughs, had 3,259 applicants, with 175 students in the semi-finals. The team, consisting of sixth graders Yoselin, Zeynabou, Pearl, Emily, and Sadika, was guided by their teacher Kim Judin. They proposed features like solar panels, wheelchair accessibility, and bilingual signage. Although they did not advance to the finals, the experience was valuable for team bonding. The Mayor’s Cup Finals are scheduled for May 31.

AppWizard

May 22, 2025

Queens students advance in Minecraft esports competition ahead of NYC’s first-ever Video Game Festival

On May 5, over 270 students from Queens participated in the semi-finals of the 2025 Minecraft Education Battle of the Boroughs at Thomas Edison High School. The event was organized by the NYC Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment, NYC Public Schools, and the National Esports Association. This year's competition saw 3,295 students submit 659 entries, a 37% increase from last year and more than double the participation from 2023. Participants used Minecraft Education to create models of a sustainable New York City. The winning teams from Queens are: - Elementary Division: Team Sigma from PS 24 Andrew Jackson, led by Kerry McGarvey and Principal Bani Singh. - Middle School Division: Neo NYC from J.H.S. 185 Edward Bleeker, coached by Ana Silva-Collins under Principal Michael Leung. - High School Division: Diamond Sword Bustamoney from World Journalism Preparatory School, guided by Ernest Lai and Principal Michael Roberts Bacchus. These teams will represent Queens in the Mayor’s Cup Minecraft Education finals during the NYC Video Game Festival at Convene Brookfield Place in Manhattan. The festival will feature esports competitions, virtual reality experiences, indie game demonstrations, cosplay contests, and a career expo focused on the digital games industry. Deputy Mayor Adolfo Carrión Jr. highlighted the event's role in promoting career-connected learning and the city's digital economy. The final round will take place on May 31.

AppWizard

May 7, 2025

Minecraft Battle Of The Boroughs 2025: Bronx Semi-Final | The Bronx Daily

On May 3, the Bronx hosted the semi-finals for the 2025 Minecraft Education Battle of the Boroughs Esports Competition, with 659 submissions from 3,295 students, a 37% increase from the previous year. Each borough selected three teams to advance to the finals on May 31, 2025. The event featured 175 students from 35 teams across over 26 schools. Notable attendees included NYC Public Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos and Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson. The semi-finals were held at the Bronx High School for Law and Community Service. The winning teams were: - Elementary Division: PS 100X, Team Game Over - Middle School Division: PS/MS 175 The City Island School, The Amazing Sharks - High School Division: MS/HS 223 The Laboratory School, Bronx Blocks.

AppWizard

April 15, 2025

Duval County students excited to explore Jacksonville through Minecraft competition

The City of Jacksonville has launched a citywide Build Challenge using Minecraft Education to engage students in Duval County. The initiative invites all students, regardless of school type, to envision solutions for Jacksonville's future by designing a sustainable riverfront community hub. The program aims to inspire creativity, advance STEM and urban planning, strengthen civic engagement, develop 21st-century skills, and celebrate student achievements. Participants can collaborate in teams of up to five, with submissions due by noon on May 2. The top eight teams will compete in the Mayor’s Cup in an in-person esports-style challenge. Jacksonville is one of 25 cities globally participating in the Minecraft Education program.

AppWizard

April 14, 2025

Minecraft meets Jacksonville: City invites students to reimagine public spaces

The City of Jacksonville is launching a citywide Minecraft build challenge for K-12 and college students in Duval County, starting on April 14. Participants will redesign Jacksonville's public spaces, focusing on sustainability and collaboration. The competition has four divisions: Elementary (3rd-5th grade), Middle (6th-8th grade), High School (9th-12th grade), and College. Teams can have up to five members and two alternates. Entries are due by May 2, with the top eight teams advancing to a live final event, the Mayor’s Cup, on May 20. More information is available at Jacksonville.gov/minecraft.

AppWizard

March 27, 2025

Minecraft Movie Starring Jack Black and Jason Momoa Is Out Next Week

“A Minecraft Movie” is set to be released on April 4, 2025, as the first live-action adaptation of the popular video game. The film is directed by Jared Hess and features Jason Momoa as Garrett “The Garbage Man” Garrison, Jack Black as Steve, Emma Myers as Natalie, Danielle Brooks as Dawn, and Jennifer Coolidge in a mysterious role. Production wrapped in April 2024, and the film will be available in standard theaters and IMAX. The storyline follows four misfits who are transported into the Overworld of Minecraft, where they must learn to build, craft, and survive with the help of Steve. The film aims to recreate Minecraft’s aesthetics using CGI and will include familiar gameplay mechanics and beloved creatures from the game. Promotional events include McDonald’s themed Happy Meals launching on April 1, 2025, featuring collectible toys and a new sauce. An in-game event titled “A Minecraft Movie” will run from March 25 to April 7, 2025, offering quests and rewards in Minecraft. The film is expected to receive a PG rating and has a rumored runtime of approximately 108 minutes. The marketing campaign targets both fans and new audiences through digital promotions and merchandise. The film's visual effects team aims to blend practical and digital effects to authentically represent Minecraft's mechanics. The score is composed by Mark Mothersbaugh, and the cinematography is handled by Enrique Chediak. Mojang Studios is involved in the production to ensure the film aligns with the game's spirit. The film's themes include adventure, community, and creativity, reflecting the core elements of Minecraft. Initial fan reactions to the trailer have been mixed, but anticipation remains high.

AppWizard

March 20, 2025

New Minecraft edition has students restore St. Peter’s Basilica

Vatican City launched an educational edition of Minecraft titled “Peter Is Here: AI for Cultural Heritage” on March 18, 2025, in collaboration with Microsoft. The game allows students aged 8 to 18 to explore a digital version of St. Peter’s Basilica, engaging in restoration tasks and learning about its art and history. Players earn golden papal key tokens by completing tasks, and the game features two modes: “Restoration Mode” and “Exploration Mode.” The initiative aims to enhance cultural heritage understanding through interactive gaming. The game is available in the Minecraft Education lesson library for licensed users, with a free trial version accessible through Office 365 or Microsoft 365 Education accounts.

AppWizard

February 25, 2025

And finally… Minecraft goes green

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), in collaboration with WSP and Gleeds, has launched an educational program for primary school students at Portway School in Plaistow, London. The initiative, named “Greening Our Cities,” involves 24 Year 5 students participating in an after-school club that teaches urban sustainability and professional skills through Minecraft Education. Students followed the RIBA Plan of Work to plan and execute their projects, conducting stakeholder interviews and developing mind maps. The program concluded with a competitive showcase at RICS Headquarters on January 20, 2025, where the top three teams received book vouchers. The initiative aims to engage young learners in surveying, project management, and digital innovation while addressing the skills gap in the construction industry.