Check out the entries from January’s Build Challenge: Mapping Our World
Last month, our January Build Challenge invited students to create maps in Minecraft: Education Edition. The Mapping Our World challenge inspired creative ideas from students across the globe, resulting in maps of diverse areas like structures, regions, and waterways. Some classrooms used this opportunity to explore pressing global issues like bushfires and deforestation. It was a fantastic display of student creativity and the power of visual representation for engaged learning. Take a look at some of their work and get inspired for your own classroom builds!
Goh Kok Ming’s students shared a truly towering build of their home country of Malaysia, with different colors representing each state. This student selfie captures the build in all its glory!
Aliff Othman’s students took up the challenge with a variety of creations, some of them addressing serious ecological issues. One group dove into research and data-science to examine the recent history of bushfires in Australia. They created this map of fires over time.
His class is clearly passionate about environmental protection. They also decided to track deforestation in Borneo. Their work demonstrates a real understanding of sustainability and a keen interest in preservation.
Other students in Aliff’s class decided to work on a different scale. One student tackled an incredibly detailed map of their school.
Another created an ingenious map of the Malaysian state of Sabah, which functioned both as an aerial map and a ground-level walking tour with landmarks and informational boards.
Students in Malaysia definitely came out strong for this challenge!
In the US, Liz Bradley’s students took on a variety of builds, including several different land features. They showed plenty of creativity in the diverse ways you can present geographical information.
We also love to see works in progress! Minecraft Global Mentor and trainer Mary Elizabeth Pearson—AKA The Craft-Savvy Teacher—showed us how her students worked with maps of Washington State and Japan to start sketching out their creations.
We started the @PlayCraftLearn January #BuildChallenge! In an international school setting, student's idea of their region was diverse. So we went with a more open approach to what region they could build. I look forward to seeing where they go with this one. @NCCE_EdTech pic.twitter.com/EXim4fWAfC
— The Craft-Savvy Teacher (@craftsavvyteach) January 13, 2020
It was amazing to see the creative directions that students took for this build challenge. Their work demonstrates that even something as simple as a map means different things to students with different learning styles and artistic imaginations.
We can’t wait to see what learners come up with for the February Build Challenge: Block Biography. Students create a quiz on a historical figure, complete with a representation created in Minecraft, whether that’s a statue, a portrait, or a symbol. Then they share their work with their peers. Learn how your class can take part in the challenge!
If you’re new to Minecraft: Education Edition and want to get started, head to education.minecraft.net to learn more.
