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 27th (Midnight)- EXTENDED | 🎥 Submission Deadline | Teams submit their 2-minute video explaining their Minecraft build via Microsoft Forms. |
| March 28th- April 2nd | Judging Window | Expert judges evaluate entries based on creativity, sustainability, and more. |
| April 3rd | 🏆 Top 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)
Each division will have its own set of finalists, judging panel feedback, and tailored final prompt for the Mayor’s Cup.
🏆 The Mayor’s Cup – Live Final Event!
Date: Friday, April 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
- Elementary School Division (K–5th)
- Cougar Compost Crusaders- Loretto Elementary
- Copper Codebreakers- Loretto Elementary
- Middle School Division (6th–8th)
- MMS Waffle Fries Tacos- Mandarin Middle
- Landon GOATs- Julia Landon College Preparatory Middle School
- High School Division (9th–12th)
- Sandalwood Lady Saints- Sandalwood High School
- MineVision Innovators- KIPP BOLD CITY HIGH SCHOOL
Mayor’s Cup Tickets
Ticket Required for Entry: https://Newjaxcity2026.eventbrite.com
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.
2026 Finals Design Prompts
Elementary School Division (K–5th) - Resilience & Emergency Preparedness
Prompt: Transform the Atlantic Beach Marsh Oaks Community Center into a Sustainability and Resiliency Hub for the community that is publicly accessible during normal hours of operation but can also be activated during and following extreme weather events.
Build Location:
Real Google Maps Location: LINK
Minecraft Build Location: Atlantic Beach Marsh Oaks Community Center
Helpful Tips/ Ideas:
Build for extreme weather with strong, storm-resistant design\
Incorporate stormwater management (bioswales, permeable surfaces, drainage)
Include backup power (solar + battery) for outages
Design for energy efficiency to lower costs and improve performance
Incorporate water resilience (storage, reuse)
Plan for food access (gardens, storage, or distribution space)
Integrate communication systems (Wi-Fi, charging, emergency alerts)
Create flexible spaces for community use, shelter, and resource distribution
Research/ Helpful Links
Middle School Division (6th–8th)- Healthy Park Design
Prompt: Build a Healthy Park Design at James Weldon Johnson Park that creates a safe, welcoming, and inclusive space for the community. The park should support physical activity, relaxation, and social connection while incorporating features that promote health, well-being, and environmental quality.
Build Location:
Real Google Maps Location: LINK
Minecraft Build Location: James Weldon Weldon Johnson Park (Downtown In front of City Hall)
Helpful Tips/ Ideas:
Provide plenty of shade with trees, structures, or canopies
Include comfortable seating areas for rest and gathering
Design clear, safe, and walkable pathways for all users
Add fitness equipment and activity zones to encourage movement
Ensure ADA accessibility and inclusive design for all abilities
Incorporate green space and native plants for cooling and nature
Design for safety and visibility with lighting and open sightlines
Support events and programs that promote healthy lifestyles
Helpful Links
High School Division (9th–12th) - Resource Conservation & Food Waste
Prompt: Build a Resource Conservation Community Center that serves as a vibrant, publicly accessible hub for education, engagement, and action around sustainability. The space should inspire and equip residents to learn about resource conservation, including food waste reduction, composting, and energy and water efficiency.
Build Location:
Real Google Maps Location: LINK
Minecraft Build Location: Eco-Construction (Historic Eastside)
Helpful Tips/ Ideas:
Reflect community character and history through art, stories, and design elements
Create spaces for hands-on learning (gardening, composting, food prep demos)
Design areas that teach food waste reduction, storage and reuse strategies
Include a composting system to turn waste into valuable soil
Use energy-efficient features (lighting, appliances, solar options)
Incorporate water-saving systems (rainwater capture, low-flow fixtures)
Use recycled and sustainable materials throughout the design
Add clear educational signage to explain how systems work
Design flexible spaces for workshops, community events, and training
Helpful Links
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!