Duval Times

The City of Jacksonville has introduced an innovative initiative called Jacksonville World in Minecraft Education. This program, along with an Esport competition, aims to encourage local students to integrate STEM, urban planning, and creativity. Participants will create Minecraft worlds that propose a dynamic vision for Jacksonville's future.

Jacksonville has become one of the select cities globally to be featured in Minecraft Education. Various sections of the city are accessible for players worldwide to explore. Additionally, Jacksonville's actual leaders appear as non-playable characters in the game, offering insights into city departments, future plans, and essential projects. The game connects with city planning resources, enabling students to understand sustainability and resilience alongside future projects.

Students are encouraged to participate in the competition, starting with a virtual semi-final round from April 14 to May 2. The finals, known as the Mayor’s Cup, will take place on May 20, offering an Esports-style live event where the best teams will present their projects to city officials and experts.

“We’re thrilled to join select cities around the world in partnering with Minecraft Education to give students the chance to shape Jacksonville’s future,” stated Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan. “While playing, students will learn from real city leaders and see how we work together to solve problems and build a better future for our city. I encourage all of our students to participate in the Challenge, which is designed to build pathways to STEM careers and civic leadership.”

Allison Matthews, Head of Minecraft Education, added, "We are excited to welcome students to the New Jax City Build Challenge 2025! This Minecraft Education challenge ignites creativity and inspires Duval County students to envision a more sustainable city for themselves and future generations. By collaborating with their peers, students can learn from each other, build new skills, and showcase their innovation to city leaders."

Ashantae Green, the Sustainability Manager for the City of Jacksonville, expressed enthusiasm, saying, “We’re excited to see Jacksonville’s youth step up as creators and leaders, imagining a better, more sustainable city. This initiative gives students the opportunity to learn about city plans and projects, and the platform to showcase their ideas.”

For more information on New Jax City and the Build Challenge, interested individuals can visit Jacksonville's official website. The city also provides a video demonstration for further insight.