News release details
A showcase of student projects created through the Level Up: Winnipeg challenge will take place this afternoon at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights (CMHR).
Launched in April, Level Up: Winnipeg is a partnership between the City of Winnipeg, Microsoft and several school divisions. It created a virtual Winnipeg in the popular Minecraft video game.
Students were challenged to build their own virtual worlds in the game to answer the question, "How can we envision a connected, equitable, and sustainable downtown that moves Winnipeg forward without leaving anyone behind?"
Community leaders and iconic figures such as Leslie Spillett, Ace Burpee, Kevin Chief, Louis Riel and the Golden Boy appear in the virtual world. Students could interact with their characters and incorporate their messages into their projects.
Students responded to the challenge by building new green spaces, community centres, housing, transportation networks, neighbourhood designs and more. Over 15,000 hours were invested by students in their virtual worlds. Students from Winnipeg’s six school divisions, as well as the Division scolaire franco‐manitobaine, Lord Selkirk School Division and Balmoral Hall took part in the challenge.
Over 300 students will be in attendance today, with select students and teachers available for media interviews. Projects will be on display this afternoon in a “gallery walk” in the Museum’s Level 1 gallery. Select projects will also be submitted to the City of Winnipeg for consideration in municipal planning.
Mayor Scott Gillingham, Ace Burpee and CMHR CEO Isha Khan will share remarks with students at the gathering. Students who created projects will also share remarks about their experiences and learnings. Media are invited to attend.
WHAT: Level Up! Winnipeg showcase of student projects
WHEN: Tuesday, June 13, from 1:00 – 2:30 p.m.
WHERE: Bonnie & John Buhler Hall and Level 1 gallery, CMHR, 85 Israel Asper Way
About Minecraft Education
Minecraft is an open‐world game where players can build new elements and create their own virtual universe. Minecraft Education is aimed for use in the classroom and contains features such as classroom mode and assessment tools that enable powerful learning experiences, collaboration and problem‐solving.
