Madrid students compete making replicas in Minecraft of the monumental jewels of the region

The Minecraft is one of the most popular video games in the world. It represents an open world where players can explore, build and destroy to their liking: cut down a tree to get wood to get their own home, to shelter a sheep and get a bed where spending the night or, if you reach a ‘Pro’ level, even have a sunlight sensor – which can be manufactured with three glass blocks, nether and wood quartz – that allows them to dispense with the torches to illuminate their buildings.

This league was born with the idea of ​​”combining new technologies so that children learn the usual things such as mathematics or history and use it in the classroom in a creative way, working as a team to complete the curricular part with these other skills,” says Pedro Jesús Rodríguez Deputy Director of Society and Economics of the Ministry of Digitalization of the Community of Madrid to this newspaper.

The 10 teams – 102 – that have managed to reach the final have had 40 minutes and a plan of the building that they have achieved during a Yinkana to replicate the headquarters of the Ministry. However, not everyone has had to recreate this space, those that were from their educational centers have been able to adapt the monuments of their localities to welcome the workers of the Ministry.

Of course, before arriving at this time they have had to go through other phases of the competition that began last November. During the contest, students investigate, design and recreate in Minecraft historical spaces of their locality, applying digital skills while reinforcing their link with local history. Thus, monuments of the entire community of Madrid such as the Royal Palace of Aranjuez, the Basilica of the Assumption of Our Lady of Colmenar Viejo or the Spain building of the capital have been some jewels that have been recreated in the virtual world.

Alba, Martín, Iyad, Ángel and Irene, on behalf of the CEIP San Isidro of the Madrid municipality of Aranjuez, they organized so that each one did their part. While some are responsible for placing the concrete blocks for its construction, others were assigned the soil or placement of the windows. Martín says he had already played before, but the usual game, in which the ‘Creepers’ and the ‘zombies’ threaten at night. “Here we are calmer because we don’t have to think about that,” they point out.

Until the last detail

Two tables beyond, others finished riding the curtains that simulate those in the room in which they were. Its recreation had solar panels to generate electricity, flags of the Community of Madrid and even Miguel López-Valverde, the Minister of Digitalization of the Community of Madrid. Every detail of the building could make a difference to win the prize: a school ‘kit for the entire team, but with traditional games. Of course, getting the trophy was not the priority of these children, but enjoying the moment. “The real value of this entire project has been the team that children have managed to form,” says one of the teachers.

After the jury passed through each proposal, the winner has been the Portugal College of Aravaca, which has recreated its Plaza de España. In their project, they have placed to a beach in the offices of their hypothetical headquarters of Digitaliza Madrid.

This expected event has attended the López -valde, who has highlighted the “vocation, affection, empathy, special vision” in children who have participated in the championship. “There has been a technological phase, but also to seek information, to ask … both worlds have joined in this project,” he said.

The counselor also assured that his area will work with the Ministry of Education, Science and Universities “to see all the good that has come out” and enhance it for a future edition next year.