Jax Build Challenge
Empowering Students to Help Redesign Jacksonville's Future
🎥 Watch the Video Below for an Overview!
Overview
In partnership with Minecraft Education, C40’s Reinventing Cities initiative, and Duval County Public Schools, the City of Jacksonville is launching a citywide Minecraft build challenge. This competition is open to all students from elementary, middle, high school, and college levels within Duval County, inviting them to reimagine Jacksonville’s public spaces and communities. The challenge integrates STEM, urban planning, and creativity to foster collaboration, civic engagement, and innovative thinking. Students will design Minecraft worlds that envision a dynamic, forward-thinking future for the city.
The initiative includes a virtual competition, culminating in a high-energy, Esports-style live final known as The Mayor’s Cup. During this event, top teams from each grade band will present their builds to educators, city leaders, and subject matter experts.
Program Goals
- 🏗️ 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 & 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.
Why This Matters
- 🌍 A Global Movement for Cities
- This challenge is in partnership with Minecraft Education and C40 Cities, a global network of cities committed to building a healthier, more sustainable future. Cities like London, New York City, and Los Angeles have successfully implemented similar Minecraft build challenges, engaging thousands of students in STEM & urban design.
- 📚 Hands-On Learning Drives Future Careers
- Studies show that students who participate in hands-on learning experiences are 35% more likely to pursue STEM careers. By encouraging young people to reimagine their communities, this challenge fosters innovation, environmental awareness, and civic responsibility, preparing them to be the city leaders of tomorrow.
Event Schedule
| Date | Event | Details |
|---|---|---|
| February 13th | 🌎 Challenge Release | The official “New Jax City” Minecraft World & Round-1 (Semi-Finals) prompt will be released. |
| March 20th (Midnight) | 🎥 Submission Deadline | Teams submit their 2-minute video explaining their Minecraft build via Microsoft Forms. |
| March 25th-30th | Judging Window | Expert judges evaluate entries based on creativity, sustainability, and more. |
| April 3rd | 🏆 Top 8 Finalists Announced | The Top 2 Teams from Elementary, Middle, High School & College advancing to finals will be announced! |
| April 3rd-16th | Finalists Prepare | Finalists receive new build prompts by grade level to prepare for finals. |
| April 17th | 🎮 Mayor’s Cup Final Event | The top 8 teams will compete live in a final In-Person Esports-style challenge in front of city leaders and subject matter experts! |
Grade Band Competitions
There will be four separate competitions, ensuring fair and age-appropriate challenges:
- Elementary School Division (K–5th)
- Middle School Division (6th–8th)
- High School Division (9th–12th)
- College Division
Each division will have its own set of finalists, judging panel feedback, and tailored final prompt for the Mayor’s Cup.
ROUND 1: Virtual Semi-Finals
Date: Feb 13, 2026 – March 20, 2026
Challenge Theme & Build Challenge Prompt:
Local Agriculture, Food Systems & Economic Development
Jacksonville is a growing city with a growing demand for food. Over the years, we have experienced external shocks and stressors that have shaped the way people interact with food. Whether due to local agricultural barriers, limited distribution partnerships, shortages in supplemental government assistance and grocery stores, or a lack of food waste diversion programs, our food system is stable—but needs additional support.
The City of Jacksonville is developing a comprehensive Food Plan to strengthen and support our local food system. This citywide planning process will help shape how food is grown, processed, distributed, accessed, consumed, and recovered as Jacksonville continues to grow.
We need your ideas on how we can support local food systems, agriculture, and economic development!
Your Mission:
Design a sustainable and resilient agriculture hub and farmers’ market space under the freeway that is:
- Publicly accessible
- Celebrates local agriculture, businesses, artists, and vendors
- Includes design elements for all parts of the food system: Production, Distribution, Access, & Waste/Recovery
- Focused on environmental stewardship and sustainability
This hub and market should be a vibrant gathering space where people can connect, shop, relax, and learn about the local food system—while actively protecting the environment and supporting a sustainable future.
Tips: Learn Before You Build!
- Learn about Jacksonville’s food system and the city’s current State of the Food Report analysis and planning process.
- Learn about the existing site and take inspiration from Jacksonville’s Riverside Arts Market—visit with your parent or guardian if you can. It’s open every Saturday from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- Talk to the “Agriculture” Riverside Zone NPCs in the game to learn more about placemaking and how to ensure your build helps the community.
Ready to Build?
After you load the “New Jax City” Minecraft world in Minecraft Education, you will begin the challenge in downtown Jacksonville at City Hall.
After you meet the Mayor and DCPS Superintendent, talk to Mrs. Green, then click “Agriculture” to be teleported to the build site in the Historic Riverside Community. Talk to all of the NPCs, then find Mrs. Green to get started.
Examples of Things to Include in Your Build:
✅ A sustainable farm area with vegetable and fruit gardens✅ Vendor stalls or booths for local farmers to sell fresh produce or value-added items
✅ Spaces for educational workshops on wellness, gardening, sustainability, and healthy living
✅ A dedicated space for storing and transporting locally grown food (e.g., cold storage areas, loading/unloading zones for trucks, and food bank pick-up)
✅ Eco-friendly featuressuch as:
- Water conservation and biodiversity preservation
- Rainwater collection systems
- Food recovery and composting stations
- Solar-powered lighting or bike racks
✅ Placemaking concepts, or thoughtful integration with the surrounding neighborhood and ways to support local small businesses
✅ Creativity & Aesthetics—make your build visually impressive! Use block variation, color, depth, and structure to bring your vision to life.
💡 Think creatively and design an amazing space!
🔹 Step 2 – Design your build in Minecraft Education using the “New Jax City” world
🔹 Step 3 – Record a 2-minute video presenting your creation and explaining your design choices
🔹 Step 4 – Upload your video to YouTube
🔹 Step 5 – Complete the Microsoft Forms submissionand include your video link
📌 Submission Deadline: March 20, 2026 Midnight (EST)
A panel of Minecraft Education experts, city leaders, and sustainability leaders will evaluate submissions based on:
🏗️ Creativity & Innovation – Unique, original design ideas?🌱 Sustainability, Resilience & Environmental Impact – Use of trees, renewable materials, and eco-friendly features?
🏙️ Community & Inclusivity – Does the design promote health, well-being, and social interaction?
📢 Presentation & Communication – How well is the design explained in the video?
🏆 The Mayor’s Cup – Live Final Event!
Date: Friday, Aptil 17, 2026
Location: WJCT Soundstage, 100 Festival Park Ave, Jacksonville, FL 32202
The Top 8 Teams (2 from each grade band – Elementary, Middle, High School, and College) will compete live in an exciting Esports-style event judged by city leaders and subject matter experts.
🏅 Winners will receive:
🎁 Exclusive Minecraft swag💰 Prizes for their school or organization
🎖️ Recognition from The Mayor and city leaders
📢 This is YOUR chance to make an impact on Jacksonville’s future!
Finalists
To be announced April 3, 2026Mayor’s Cup Tickets
Ticket Required for Entry: Registration link will be released on April 3.
Experience the power of STEM, civic engagement, creativity, and youth leadership in action. This event is FREE and open to the public—school field trips, families, and supporters are all welcome!
- Max capacity: 300
- Tickets: First come, first served
- Students under 18: Must attend with an adult or on a chaperoned field trip
Event Sponsors
Organizations that wish to support or sponsor the final Build Challenge can email info@dublase.org to get involved.
Who can participate?
All K–12th grade students in Duval County (public, private, charter, nonprofit organizations, afterschool clubs) and college students enrolled at a college within Duval County.
How many students can be on a team?
Up to 5 students, with 2 alternates allowed.
What if I’ve never played Minecraft Education before?
No problem! You can review tutorials and resources to help you get started.
Are buses and school field trips allowed at the April 17 event?
Yes. Teachers are required to follow all district and school field trip guidelines.
✔ Transportation for the Mayor’s Cup finalists will be coordinated by the City of Jacksonville (COJ) and DCPS, or the team sponsor of private or organizational teams.✔ Teachers of non-competing finalist teams or general attendees are responsible for securing transportation and chaperones through their school’s established process.
✔ Detailed bus logistics—including drop-off, pick-up, and parking instructions—will be sent to the email address used during registration.
✔ To avoid ticket reservation cancellation, field trip bus confirmation must be emailed by April 10 to greena@coj.net.
- 🎮 Download Minecraft Education on a Phone or PC
- 📚 Access Tutorials & Building Resources
- 📩 Questions? Contact us at GreenA@coj.net
🚀 Let’s build a greener, better Jacksonville – one block at a time!