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Mar 18
Love0

Welcoming all schools to Series 1 of the 2024 AEL Minecraft Schools Competition!

By Events, Minecraft, News

Over 60 Schools Ignite Creativity and Collaboration in Series 1 of the 2024 Minecraft Schools Competition

The Australian Esports League (AEL) is thrilled to announce that over 60 schools nationwide are participating in the AEL Minecraft Schools Competition Series 1, a testament to the growing enthusiasm for game-based learning and innovative education initiatives in Australia.

This marks a significant milestone for the competition, highlighting its growing appeal among educators and students alike. Organized to foster critical thinking, collaboration, and digital literacy, the challenge spans various themes tailored to different age groups. For those in years 4-6 they tackle “Neighbourhood Heroes”, those in years 7-9 they tackle “Mathematical Marvels” and for those in years 10-12 they will tackle “Literary Landscapes”

Students in are showcasing their creativity, problem-solving, and collaborative skills as they spend the next ten weeks working on these exciting themes within Minecraft. They’re designing neighborhoods celebrating community heroes, visualizing mathematical concepts through historical architecture, and transforming the essence of Australian literature into immersive landscapes.

“We are overwhelmed by the positive response from Australian schools,” said Darren Kwan, Director at AEL. “This competition demonstrates the power of Minecraft as a transformative educational tool. Students are engaging with subjects in new ways, developing essential 21st-century skills, and having a blast doing it!”

This broad participation underscores the importance of interactive learning platforms like Minecraft: Education Edition in modern education. The competition not only offers students a unique opportunity to apply classroom knowledge in a creative setting but also brings together schools in a spirited exchange of innovation and learning.

Everyone at the Australian Esports League extends their heartfelt thanks to all participating schools and looks forward to showcasing the diverse talents of students across all categories. Stay tuned for updates on this exciting educational journey!

About the AEL Minecraft Schools Competition:

The AEL Minecraft Schools Competition is an annual event that challenges students to build creative and innovative Minecraft worlds inspired by specific themes. The competition is open to Australian schools, with separate pools for Years 4–6, 7–9, and 10–12. For more information, visit www.ael.org.au/minecraft.

With special thanks to Mojang Studios and the Microsoft Education team in Australia.

About the Australian Esports League (AEL)

The Australian Esports League (AEL) is a leading organization dedicated to promoting esports in Australia’s education sector. With a focus on student engagement, skill development, and community building, AEL provides a platform for schools to participate in structured esports competitions and programs.


Mar 01
Love0

Themes Unveiled for Series 1 of the 2024 AEL Minecraft Schools Competition

By Events, Minecraft, News

Get ready to build, collaborate, and explore fascinating concepts – the AEL Minecraft Schools Competition Series 1 themes are here! We’re thrilled to unveil the creative challenges that await students across Australia.

Years 4-6 Pool: Neighbourhood Heroes

Young builders, it’s time to celebrate the everyday heroes that make our communities thrive! Design a Minecraft neighbourhood showcasing the diverse jobs and roles that keep things running smoothly. Think firefighters, shopkeepers, teachers, and many more. Focus on teamwork and emphasize the vital contributions each person makes to the community.

Years 7-9 Pool: Mathematical Marvels

Prepare to journey back in time and bring mathematics to life! Imagine the world of a classical civilization – ancient Greece, Rome, or Egypt – then visualize mathematical concepts or geometric shapes within this setting. Build awe-inspiring structures or landscapes rooted in mathematical principles. Are you ready to blend history, design, and math in a truly unique way?

Years 10-12 Pool: Literary Landscapes

Calling all literary enthusiasts and creative architects! Delve into the world of an Australian novel or poem, transforming its essence into a Minecraft masterpiece. Construct environments, symbols, and even characters that embody the heart and soul of your chosen literary work.

Get Building & Show Off Your Skills!

Remember, registrations are still open for this epic competition! Secure your spot and unleash your students’ creativity.

  • Registration Closes: March 15th
  • Build Period: March 18th – May 24th
  • Website: www.ael.org.au/minecraft for full details and registration

We can’t wait to see the incredible worlds your students will create!

Feb 15
Love0

Australian Esports League announces the 2024 Minecraft Schools program

By Events, High School Cup, Minecraft, News, Primary School Cup

This years program features the return of the AEL Minecraft Build Challenge and the introduction of the AEL Minecraft Capture the Flag esports series enabling exciting opportunities for high school, primary school, and homeschool students to showcase their Minecraft skills.

The AEL is thrilled to announce its 2024 school programs, featuring two engaging Minecraft events designed to inspire creativity and strategic thinking among students across Australia. The programs include the Minecraft Build Challenge and the Minecraft Capture The Flag esports event, both set to unfold in two exciting series this year, catering to high school, primary school, and homeschool students.

The AEL is proud to continue its partnership with Microsoft and the Minecraft Education team to promote this series, building upon the success of last year’s event. This collaboration underscores our mutual commitment to delivering high-quality educational and competitive experiences for students nationwide.

Minecraft Build Challenge: Unleashing Creativity

The Minecraft Build Challenge invites students to leverage their creativity and teamwork to construct impressive structures within Minecraft. With two series planned for the year, the challenge will consist of three competition pools based on year groups: years 4-6, 7-9, and 10-12, each facing a unique theme to guide their builds. Home schoolers are also welcome, competing in a dedicated pool to ensure fair play and recognition.

First Series Dates:

  • Registrations Close: 15th March
  • Competition Starts: 18th March
  • Submissions Due: 24th May
  • Results Announced: 10th June

Second Series Dates:

  • Registrations Close: 16th August
  • Competition Starts: 19th August
  • Submissions Due: 18th October
  • Results Announced: 4th November

Themes for each competition pool will be disclosed post-registration, adding an element of surprise and excitement as teams gear up to showcase their architectural prowess.

Check out the submissions from last year’s challenge here: 2023 AEL Minecraft Build Challenge.

Minecraft Capture The Flag: Strategic Esports Action

Complementing the Build Challenge, the Minecraft Capture The Flag event will test students’ strategic and teamwork skills in a dynamic esports environment. This competition, too, will occur over two series, culminating in an in-person nationals event with details to be announced soon.

The Capture The Flag event promises to be a thrilling experience, encouraging students to engage in competitive play while fostering communication, strategy, and sportsmanship.

Empowering Students Through Esports

The AEL’s 2024 Minecraft programs aim to provide a platform for students to express their creativity, engage in healthy competition, and connect with peers sharing similar interests. Beyond the fun and excitement of gameplay, participants will have the opportunity to develop valuable life skills such as problem-solving, teamwork, and strategic planning.

Stay tuned for more details on the Minecraft Capture The Flag dates and the announcement of the national event. Schools, students, and homeschoolers interested in participating are encouraged to register promptly to secure their spot in these eagerly anticipated competitions.

For more information and to register for the events, please visit the AEL’s official website: AEL Minecraft Programs.

The AEL is proud to share it is sponsored by AGON by AOC the gaming monitor partner and Indomie Australia the noodle partner.

Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to be a part of Australia’s growing esports community through the engaging world of Minecraft. Join us in celebrating creativity, strategic gameplay, and the spirit of competition in 2024!

Nov 28
Love0

Celebrating Creativity and Innovation: The 2023 AEL Minecraft Competition Winners

By Events, High School Cup, Minecraft, News

We’re thrilled to announce the winners of the 2023 AEL Minecraft Competition! This year’s competition saw an incredible display of talent, ingenuity, and a deep understanding of the themes across all age groups. Students across Australia from Year 5-12 showcased their skills in Minecraft, creating masterpieces in three distinct categories: medieval architecture, eco-friendly living, and sustainable cities.

Winning schools received a trophy for their students accomplishments with students receiving medallions and merit certificates for placing in the top 3. The student team with the overall best submission received a gamer pack comprising of RIG 500 Pro gaming headsets went to Alfred Deakin High School’s Year 9 Team 2.

A Showcase of Medieval Marvels: Year 5-6 Category

The medieval architecture category challenged Year 5-6 students to travel back in time and recreate historical wonders. The creativity and attention to detail in these builds were nothing short of astounding.

Winners:

  • 1st Place: GG’s
    • School: The Knox School
    • The team showcased a medieval Japan shiro with a detailed castle at the centre with fortifications including moat and outer walls. The design shows a smart aesthetic approach to showing medieval life in Japan. The students went so far as to depict an invading force highlighting the tumultuous times.
  • 2nd Place: Guacamole
    • School: Eltham College,
    • The submission shows a medieval town with castle, towers and town built into a mountainous setting. The students utilised different materials available in Minecraft to highlight different sections of the medieval life with a colourful market and chapel.
  • 3rd Place: The Falcon Kingdom
    • School: The Knox School
    • The students showcased a popular castle design featuring a stone keep ringed with Balista, bailey, outer wall and draw bridge over a moat. The submission shows creative use of Minecraft to demonstrate different aspects of medieval life within a castle setting.
  • The Knox School - GG's
  • Eltham-College-Guacamole-SS1-web
  • The-Knox-School-The-Falcon-Kingdom-SS1-web

Innovations for a Greener Tomorrow: Year 7-9 Category

In the eco-friendly living category, students in Years 7-9 were tasked with designing living spaces that harmonize with nature. The entries displayed a profound understanding of sustainability and environmental stewardship.

Winners:

  • 1st Place: Year 9 Team 2
    • School: Alfred Deakin High School
    • The winning submission showcased a detailed community with multiple houses and buildings demonstrating different applications of eco-friendly living. From regenerative building materials to renewable sources of energy and water the students showed a complex use of Minecraft to demonstrate eco-friendly living.
  • 2nd Place: The Asian Investors
    • School: The Knox School
    • The students showcased a modern home that utilised natural light, multiple green energy sources, greenhouse garden and a creative use of Minecraft materials to provide a colourful demonstration of eco-friendly living.
  • Equal 3rd Place: Team 4
    • School: Cavendish Road State High School
    • The team presented a strong concept for eco-friendly living in a modern setting which is highlighted by a solar power system that track sunlight, vertical greenhouse garden, natural light and regenerative building materials.
  • Equal 3rd Place: 3d Terraria
    • School: The Knox School
    • The team built a town to demonstrate eco-friendly living applications across a variety of property settings. This incorporated green energy sources, harmony with nature, regenerative building materials and transport.
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Envisioning Sustainable Cities: Year 10-12 Category

Our oldest participants, from Years 10-12, were challenged to conceptualize sustainable cities. The results were futuristic, practical, and showcased a visionary approach to urban development.

Winners:

  • 1st Place: Emmanuel Gold
    • School: Emmanuel Catholic College
    • The submission shows a modern inspired city featuring a series of skyscrapers and multiple sustainable city initiatives on display. These include green energy initiatives, urban revitalization projects, vertical gardens, transportation, harmony with nature, waste management and community spaces.
  • 2nd Place: Team 1
    • School: QLD Academy for Science, Mathematics & Technology
    • The students showcased a city built into the natural environment with greenery throughout and some creative applications of Minecraft materials to showcase concepts including an alternative green powered lift system. The submission is colourful and lively example of an imagined sustainable city that features regenerative building materials, a community in harmony with the environment, green power initiatives and more.
  • 3rd Place: Team 2
    • School: Cavendish Road State High School
    • The students showcased a modern sustainable city with medium rise construction that depicts green energy, regenerative building materials, communal spaces, transport, food and waste management concepts. The submission features integration with the surrounding environment using different Minecraft materials to showcase a variety of biomes.
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A Heartfelt Thanks to All Participants

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the winners and a big thank you to every student who participated in the 2023 AEL Minecraft Competition. Your creativity and passion for building a better world have truly inspired us all.

To see all submissions please visit www.ael.org.au/minecraft-results

As we close the chapter on this year’s AEL Minecraft Competition, we look forward with anticipation to what the next edition will bring in 2024. This competition is more than just a showcase of Minecraft skills; it’s a celebration of the boundless creativity and potential of our young minds. It’s a testament to how technology, when combined with education and creativity, can foster a deeper understanding of important concepts like sustainability, history, and community living.

To schools and stakeholders who have been part of this journey, your support and engagement have been instrumental in making this event a resounding success. We encourage you to continue being a part of this innovative educational experience. To those who are yet to join us, we extend an invitation to be part of a movement that is shaping the way our students engage with technology and learning.

We extend a special thank you to the Mojang Studios, the Microsoft Education team and to our sponsors AGON by AOC and Indomie Australia for supporting the AEL’s programs this year.

The AEL Minecraft Competition is more than just a competition; it’s a platform for students to express their ideas, challenge their creativity, and contribute to a dialogue about our world’s future. As we prepare for the 2024 edition, we look forward to seeing new schools, new students, and new ideas. Together, let’s build a community that champions creativity, innovation, and learning.

Join us in making the 2024 AEL Minecraft Competition an even bigger success. Let’s inspire, let’s innovate, and let’s create a brighter future, one block at a time.

The AEL are looking for educators and community members alike who are keen to participate in this growing initiative – please reach out to our friendly team at [email protected] to see how you can get involved.

Aug 16
Love0

First-Ever AEL Minecraft Challenge Successfully Launched with Over 130 Teams Participating

By High School Cup, Minecraft

Sydney, Australia – The Australian Esports League (AEL) proudly announces the successful launch of its inaugural Minecraft Challenge, witnessing an overwhelming participation of students across the country.

With 63 teams from Year 5-6 exploring Medieval Architecture, 71 teams from Year 7-9 innovating around Eco-friendly Living, and 15 teams from Year 10-12 delving into the intricacies of Sustainable Cities, the stage is set for an unprecedented educational journey.

Microsoft and its Minecraft: Education team have thrown their weight behind the initiative, further solidifying the challenge’s standing in the industry. “It’s amazing to see this participation in the Minecraft: Education challenges with AEL. From projects covering Eco-living and sustainability to exploring Medieval Architecture, this all has a great impact within and beyond the classroom. We can’t wait to see the results,” says Dan Bowen, Tech Strategist, Microsoft Australia.

The AEL welcomes a total of 29 schools to the first edition:

Alfred Deakin High SchoolBrisbane Grammar SchoolCavendish Road State High School
Eltham CollegeEmmanuel Catholic CollegeHunter River Community School
John Paul CollegeKelvin Grove State CollegeKincoppal-Rose bay Junior School
Mater Christi CollegeMentone Grammar SchoolMonivae College Hamilton
Penrith Christian SchoolPunchbowl Boys’ High SchoolQueensland Academy for Science Mathematics and Technology
Rolling Hills Primary SchoolSt Francis Catholic CollegeSt Joseph’s College, Lochinvar
 The Knox SchoolViewbank College
Edmund Rice CollegeEltham CollegeEmmanuel Catholic College
Hunter River Community SchoolJames Fallon High SchoolJohn Paul College
Kelvin Grove State CollegeKincoppal-Rose bay Junior SchoolMarist Regional College
Mater Christi CollegeMentone Grammar SchoolMonivae College Hamilton
Morisset High SchoolPenrith Christian SchoolPunchbowl Boys’ High School
Queensland Academy for Science Mathematics and TechnologyRedeemer Lutheran CollegeRolling Hills Primary School
St Francis Catholic CollegeSt Joseph’s College, LochinvarSt Lukes Catholic College
Sunnybank Hills State SchoolThe Knox SchoolViewbank College
Villanova CollegeWantirna College 

The AEL, additionally sponsored by AGON by AOC, a leading gaming monitor brand, and Indomie Australia, a renowned noodle brand, has positioned the challenge as a nexus of entertainment, education, and innovation.

Sarah Jae, Director of the Australian Esports League, shared his excitement, “The AEL Minecraft Challenge is not just a game; it’s an intersection of imagination, learning, and technology. The robust support from industry stalwarts like Microsoft, AGON by AOC, and Indomie Australia underlines our shared vision of fostering creativity and strategic thinking in our young minds. This initiative has started a movement, and I am incredibly proud of its promising start.”

Teams for each division are:

Year 5-6 exploring Medieval Architecture

Schools, industry stakeholders, and fans are encouraged to follow the teams’ progress and engage in the fascinating journey of digital creativity and learning that the AEL Schools Minecraft challenge brings.

For more information visit www.ael.org.au/minecraft

About Australian Esports League (AEL)

The Australian Esports League is a national esports ecosystem enabling participation for players of all skill levels across Australia in well-structured video game tournaments. Our focus is on building community and showcasing the talent of players across the country. Established in 2016 the AEL has developed a national Schools and University ecosystem along side a series of live events and tournaments for all skill levels.

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