The AEL hosts two online series each year and a number of in-person events for students to participate in Minecraft challenges.
Participants will be encouraged to collaborate, experiment, and think critically as they navigate the challenges presented to them within the game.
The online competition features three pools for years 4-6, 7-9 and 10-12.
As a note as part of the Minecraft Do’s and Dont’s we are required to state this is an independent event and is neither affiliated with, nor authorized, sponsored, or approved by, Mojang.
ENGAGE STUDENTS
The partnership aims to empower students to showcase their creativity, problem-solving skills, and teamwork abilities in this exciting Minecraft Education competition series promoting:
• Student Engagement
• Enhanced Learning Outcomes
• Talent Showcase
• Participation and Inclusivity
• Collaboration and Teamwork
Key Information
Format:
Open to students in teams of 2-4
The competition is spread over four stages:
- Designing & planning
- Building
- Presentations
- External judging
Game Info:
Where to get game: Minecraft Education Edition
Platform: PC, PS, XBOX, IOS, Android & Nintendo Switch
Publisher: Mojang
Handbook:
For more details please read the AEL High School Minecraft Competition Handbook.
Competition Handbook
Competition Themes:
Years 4-6 Pool:
- Series 1 Neighbourhood Heroes: Design a neighbourhood that showcases the various roles and jobs that keep a community running (e.g., firefighters, shopkeepers, teachers). Emphasize collaboration and the importance of community (Civics and Citizenship, Health).
- Series 2 Mythic Australia: Draw inspiration from Australian Indigenous Dreamtime stories to build a world reflecting a chosen myth or legend (Australian History, Humanities & Social Sciences, English).
Years 7-9 Pool:
- Series 1 Mathematical Marvels: Visualize mathematical concepts or geometric shapes in an engaging way using classical civilization as the setting for a creative setting. Build structures or landscapes with mathematical underpinnings (Mathematics, History, Design & Technologies).
- Series 2 Designing for Accessibility: Build a public space (e.g., park, school, building) that demonstrates inclusive design principles for people with different abilities (Design & Technologies, Health & Physical Education, Civics and Citizenship).
Years 10-12 Pool:
- Series 1 Literary Landscapes: A visual interpretation of an Australian novel or poem. Build environments, symbols, and characters that capture the essence of the literary work (English).
- Series 2 The Global Challenge: Teams tackle a global issue (e.g., climate change, poverty, inequality) and create a Minecraft world with solutions and awareness-raising components (Geography, Global Politics, Economics & Business).
Prizes
Competing students will be vying for a national trophy recognising their achievements for winning the season!
Students will also receive merit awards, medallions for placing in the top three and feature on a national leaderboard published by the AEL.
Registration
There is a Participation Fee of $25 +GST per student to complete registration with the recommended team size being between 2- 4 students.
There is no limit to the number of teams in competition, schools are encouraged to register multiple teams to foster strong internal competition.
Each team must make one submission with the AEL for the External Judging process.
Click the below to Register Your Team:
FAQ
Can home-schooled students compete?
To compete, Home Education students will be required to provide additional information to confirm their current education arrangements, such as providing documentation that shows that the parent/guardian is registered with their state government home education program, as well as age identifying documents for the student.
Home Education students will be marked separately to their in-school counterparts.
Home Education students may compete as a team of one or should you have multiple children at home wishing to form a team they must compete at the level of the oldest student. (ex. if you have a child in year 8 and a child in year 6 wishing to form a team they will need to adhere to the “years 7-9 theme”)
Please contact us at [email protected] for more information!
If students were judged to go to the next stage is there any location they may need to attend?
The competition is fully online at this point so no need to organize any school excursions.
Can my school run this as a lunchtime Minecraft club event?
It is up to the discretion of each teacher when they allow their students to work on their builds.
Extra Resources
Unlock more ways to teach and learn with Minecraft Education for your classroom.
Discover
Explore the basics of Minecraft Education and how a game can support learning. In the game, players can explore, gather resources, craft items, and build structures in a block-based virtual world.
Learn MoreGet Started
Learn how to download and use Minecraft Education in your home, school, or organization and how to to download a free trial, purchase licenses, and access trainings and tutorials.
Learn MoreResources
Learn to teach with Minecraft and join a global community. Explore how a game can support learning with 500+ lessons, immersive worlds, challenges, activities to engage your students, and curriculum.
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Whether you are wanting to run an esports event, are a teacher wanting more information of how to get your school involved or a parent wanting to learn more, we are here to help you in your Esports journey
For general enquiries, simply write to us at [email protected] and one of team will be in touch
For Primary, High School and Home-Schooling Esports, you can contact us at: [email protected]