Quezon City launches Minecraft education challenge for students

MANILA, Philippines — The Quezon City government has launched a game-based contest for students on designing climate change solutions.

Initiated by the city’s Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability Department, the contest, dubbed “Minecraft Education Challenge,” gives students an opportunity to design solutions to problems related to climate change and present their designs before Mayor Joy Belmonte and other local officials.

The contest was launched in partnership with the app Minecraft Education and C40 Cities, a global organization of 96 cities around the world committed to addressing climate change.

The Quezon City government is the only Philippine member of the C40 Cities.

“Through this challenge, we hope to empower the youth by mining their valuable ideas for the development of our city,” Belmonte said. “We will continue to foster students’ creativity and critical thinking, and engage them in environmental efforts as we head toward our vision of building a liveable, sustainable and climate-resilient city.”

C40 Cities executive director Mark Watts said the initiative “offers a unique, engaging opportunity for young people around the world to learn about science-based city climate actions.”

Using the Minecraft Education app, students selected by their schools will create feasible climate change solutions such as enhancing urban biodiversity, green spaces and corridor network as well as improving mobility and air quality in the city’s major areas: White Plains Avenue, Agham Road and Belfast Avenue.

Interested public and private schools may register at https://qc-c40-minecraftchallenge.quezoncity.gov.ph/ until May 29.