In the coming weeks, Calgary Board of Education students will be getting to once again doff reality and don the virtual world of Minecraft to transform iconic Calgary locations into their unique visions of how the city should look.

Level Up Calgary: Season 3 is taking students out of previous year’s Olympic Plaza and City Hall locations and offering them up a fresh look at Haultain Park in the Beltline, and at the future underground Green Line 4 Street Station.

This year’s challenge, entitled Parks and Portals, is encouraging students to look at how to create inclusive, safe, and accessible spaces whether they’re above ground or not.

“In the last two years, we’ve seen Level Up Calgary evolve into a dynamic learning community for students. It encourages creativity and problem solving all while simulating real-world situations for students to apply theoretical knowledge in practical contexts,” said Mike Nelson, Interim Superintendent of School Improvement, Calgary Board of Education.

Participating students, starting on Feb. 19, will be given the option to choose either Haultain Park or the Green Line station.

Each of the sites will have a specific question to help guide students in their virtual construction, that tie back into educational and curriculum goals.

Among the aspects being measured for those builds include addressing how vibrancy and sustainability can be created through their design, focusing on the economy, people, and climate.

“Minecraft Education helps develop digital literacy skills, something that is increasingly important in today’s technology-driven world. We’ve also seen how this immersive experience broadens perspectives and enhances cultural awareness and we are particularly excited for a new Indigenous component this season,” said Nelson.

Student creations will have the option of being put before a panel of experts from the City of Calgary, Calgary Board of Education, and Indigenous experts, with the chance of being awarded as one of the great virtual builders of the challenge.

Tens of thousands of students took part in 2023

Last year 30,000 students took part in the challenge, with 19 different awards being given out to students out of 72 finalists that went before that year’s panel.

Mayor Jyoti Gondek, who has championed the student challenge since the first year, said that she was excited to see what students build in season three.

“Through this competition, our young city-builders have the incredible platform to make their voices heard, creating accessible, equitable, and sustainable public spaces within Minecraft. These spaces will play a vital role in contributing to our city’s social, economic, and climate resilience goals,” she said.

“I am eagerly looking forward to seeing the inspiring and impactful designs they will bring to life.”

As in previous challenges, Mayor Gondek has been transformed into a Minecraft NPC to help guide students when they spawn into a virtual Beltline at Memorial Park Library.

This year she is joined by Ward 8 Coun. Courtney Walcott, who, as an NPC, will help students select which location they want to work on for their challenge.

Speaking in a video prepared for students, Coun. Walcott said that both public transit and public parks were immensely important to him.

“Well designed parks and accessible public transportation both contribute to a more resilient city, which is more equitable, accessible, and considerate of climate change,” he said.

“The future is in your hands.”

For more details on the challenge, and to see related educational and curriculum documents, see www.calgary.ca/planning/level-up.html.