CCSD Sponsors First-Ever Minecraft Programming Challenge

Press release from CCSD:

Jan. 27, 2023

The Cherokee County School District is leveling up students’ computer skills with its first-ever Minecraft Programming Challenge!

The challenge, organized by CCSD’s Office of Technology and Information Services, builds upon the school district’s nationally recognized use of Minecraft: Education Edition, the school version of the popular video game, to further engage students in learning.

“We want all of our students to graduate with the technology skills they need to thrive in the world of today and tomorrow,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower said. “Kids (and kids at heart) love Minecraft, and the educational version offers them the opportunity to have fun while learning. Our Technology team and teachers have excelled at finding innovative ways to use the program to teach technology as well as core academics. Congratulations to all of our winners and thank you to everyone who made this competitive academic opportunity possible.”

For the past three school years, CCSD has sponsored different student challenges using Minecraft, but this school year it offered the first competition focused on computer programming. Elementary and middle school students from across the district were challenged last semester to use code in Minecraft to program building a home.

One winner was selected for the middle school/high school division: the team of twin eighth-grade brothers Aidan and Andrew Dyke of Teasley MS. For elementary school, the first-place winner is fourth-grader Brando Bellini of Bascomb ES, with fourth-grader Everett Hutchins of Sixes ES placing second and fourth-grader Henry Oh of Avery ES placing third.

Winning students were presented with certificates and prizes by CCSD Instructional Technology Specialist Merry Hofmeister.

This press release was produced by CCSD. The views expressed here are the author's own.