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New Jax City Build Challenge with Minecraft Education

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.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

Judging Criteria

A panel of Minecraft Education experts, city leaders, and sustainability leaders will evaluate submissions based on:

Scoring Rubric

🏗️ 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?

ROUND 1: Virtual Semi-Finals

Date: April 14 - May 2nd 12PM, 2025


Challenge Theme & Build Challenge Prompt:
Sustainable & Resilient Riverfront Development

You will begin your challenge on the edge of the St. Johns River in the “New Jax City” Minecraft world.

Your Mission:

Design a sustainable and resilient riverfront community hub that is:

  1. Publicly accessible
  2. Prepared for extreme heat, flooding, and hurricanes
  3. Focused on environmental stewardship and sustainability

This hub should serve as a vibrant space where people can connect, relax, and learn—all while protecting the environment and preparing for future challenges.

Tip: Review the Resilient Jacksonville Strategy & take inspiration from Jacksonville’s real-life plans for the build site: Riverfront Plaza. Also explore other upcoming city developments on the I Dig Jax website.

Key Features to Include in Your Build:

✅ Eco-friendly materials & energy efficiency
✅ Water conservation & biodiversity preservation
✅ Green spaces, community parks, & wellness areas
✅ Sustainable transportation (bike stations, trails, etc.)
✅ Educational signage or NPCs for programming and education
✅ 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!

Finalists

Elementary School Finalists

  • The Minecraft Nerds – Loretto Elementary (Public) | Sponsor: Kimberly Niebauer
  • The Cougar Conservationists – Loretto Elementary (Public) | Sponsor: Kimberly Niebauer

Middle School Finalists

  • The Green Legion – James Weldon Johnson Middle School (Public) | Sponsor: Dr. Christos Lampropoulos
  • Ancient Builders – Christ the King Catholic School (Private) | Sponsor: Diana Techentien

High School Finalists

  • 5000 Role Models of Excellence – Sandalwood – Sandalwood High School (Public) | Sponsor: Otis Bryant
  • BCHS Greyhounds – KIPP BOLD CITY High School (Charter) | Sponsor: Illane Lewis

College Showcase

      • The Manta Rays - FSCJ

Category Awards 

Schools will be honored with awards but not competing:
      • Julia Landon College Preparatory Middle School
      • Duncan U. Fletcher Middle School
      • Edward H. White High School
      • Pine Forest School of the Arts
      • Mandarin Middle School



🏆 The Mayor’s Cup – Live Final Event!

Date: Tuesday, May 20, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM (Doors open at 9:30 AM)
Location: WJCT Soundstage, Jacksonville

This event is open to the public—students, families, schools, and supporters are all welcome! Experience the power of STEM, civic engagement, creativity, and youth leadership in action.

Register to attend here.

(Open to public and School Field Trips until 5/15)

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!

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.
Challenge Format & Timeline

Event Schedule

Date Event Details
April 14 🌎 Challenge Release The official “New Jax City” Minecraft World & Round-1 (Semi-Finals) prompt will be released.
May 2 by 12 p.m. (Noon) 🎥 Submission Deadline Teams submit their 2-minute video explaining their Minecraft build via Microsoft Forms.
May 5–6 Judging Window Expert judges evaluate entries based on creativity, sustainability, and more.
May 7 🏆 Top 8 Finalists Announced The Top 2 Teams from Elementary, Middle, High School & College advancing to finals will be announced!
May 7–20 Finalists Prepare Finalists receive new build prompts by grade level to prepare for finals.
May 20 🎮 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 (3rd–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.



Get Started

🚀 Let’s build a greener, better Jacksonville – one block at a time!

How to Submit Your Entry
🔹 Step 1 – Review the How to get started with Minecraft Education document.
🔹 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 submission and include your video link

📌 Submission Deadline: May 2, 11:59 PM EST

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 find tutorials and resources to help you get started.