More Than Just Play – Elementary Esports Divisionals

On Mondays, I share a different ed tech quote on our Thompson Classroom social media pages for our staff to consider.

This week’s primary focus for the ICT Department is our Elementary Esports Divisionals! This event has been a goal of mine for this calendar year and I am thrilled to see it come to fruition. While our middle- and senior-year students have the option of participating in a variety of games, tournaments, and events through the Manitoba School Esports Association (MSEA), our elementary students do not. Modeled after the introductory events our athletic association offers for elementary students, our esports event will not only highlight the talent and teamwork of our younger students but provide an opportunity to practice these skills ahead of moving into more formal events in middle school.

When I first introduced this event on the blog in January, we were very much in the planning stage. All of these details are now finalized and I am happy to share what we have put together for anyone looking to hold their own events or offer suggestions for future improvements.

MVSD Elementary Esports Event Guide. (2024) . Uploaded by Kirsten Thompson. Available online at: www.fishbowlteaching.com

[This Event Guide was shared with all elementary schools at the beginning of February, 6 weeks prior to the event occurring]

Welcome to the Grade 4 and 5 MVSD Elementary Esports Divisionals! We’re thrilled to have you participate in this exciting event where creativity, teamwork, and fun come together in the world of gaming.

Event Overview:

Date: March 13, 2024
Time: 10:00am – 2:30pm
Location: Lt. Col. Barker Elementary School, Dauphin, MB

Tournament Schedule:

Registration and Check-in: 10:00am
Opening Ceremony: 10:10am
Build Challenge: 10:20am
Judging Session: 1:30pm
Award Ceremony: 2:00pm
Depart: 2:30pm

Build Challenge Theme:

This year’s theme for the build challenge is [Announced with participants Wednesday, March 6]. Get ready to unleash your creativity and imagination as you work together with your team to bring your ideas to life in the game world.

Tournament Rules:

Teams: Each team will consist of four students from Grade 4/5. Schools DO NOT need an established esports team to participate.

Supervision: Each team must arrive with an adult coach/supervisor responsible for supervising their team(s) during the event, including nutrition and physical activity breaks.
Game Selection: The build challenge will take place in Minecraft Edu.
Time Limit: Teams will have three hours to complete their build challenge.
Judging Criteria: Teams will be evaluated based on creativity, teamwork, adherence to the theme, technical skill, and presentation.
Fair Play: Respect your fellow competitors, judges, and event staff. This tournament will follow the MSEA (Manitoba School Esports Association) Community Guidelines Agreement (see attached).
Time Management: Teams, under their coach/supervisor’s guidance, are instructed to factor in at least 20 minutes for a nutrition break and 15 minutes of outdoor physical activity into their build schedule.
Technical Assistance: Technical support will be available throughout the event if you encounter any issues with your equipment or game.

Judging Panel:

Our panel of judges consists of 4 individuals representing esports teams from the middle- and high-school MSEA league as well as experienced gamers. This panel will collectively evaluate your creations based on the judging criteria.

Prizes and Recognition:

First, second, and third place rankings will be identified by the judging panel.
All participants will receive certificates of participation to recognize their efforts and creativity.

Event Logistics:

Equipment: MVSD student laptops and mice will be available on site for all participants. Students requiring adaptive equipment are encouraged to note their needs in the registration package and responsible for bringing personal adaptive equipment such as earphones.
Transportation: Participating schools are responsible for arranging their own transportation requirements.
Food and Beverages: There is no canteen available. Students and supervisors are asked to pack lunch, snacks, and a reusable water bottle.

Registration:

Registration opens Friday, February 9^th and closes Friday, March 1^st. Teams can register through Microsoft Forms.

This event can support 40 MVSD students, in teams of 4. 12 spaces are currently being held for the following elementary esports teams:

Macneill Gamers
Barker Builders
Smith Jackson Minecraft Club

We ask that these teams register ONLY one team of four to allow for ample opportunity for our remaining schools to participate. If spaces remain at the close of registration, they will be opened up for registered schools to submit additional team(s).

MVSD Elementary Esports Build Challenge. (2024) . Uploaded by Kirsten Thompson. Available online at: www.fishbowlteaching.com

[This Build Challenge was shared with all participating teams on March 6th, one week prior to the event]

For more information about the logistics of the day, please review our EVENT GUIDE (see above)

Build Challenge Theme:

Welcome to the School Dream Playground Challenge! In this exciting Minecraft build competition, participants will have the opportunity to unleash their creativity and design their dream playground within the footprint of their school. This challenge aims to reflect the unique personality of each school and its division while incorporating essential elements of play, learning, and outdoor recreation. With just three hours on the clock, participants will need to utilize their building skills, imagination, and teamwork to create an engaging and functional playground that caters to the diverse needs and interests of their school community.

Individual Minecraft Worlds

Teams of four will gather in their own Minecraft world; they will share the link with the judging panel via a collaborative Microsoft Word document (this will be shared closer to the date). Participants will mark out a working plot area, corresponding to the footprint of their school.

Teams may practice this step ahead of time, but the world they share must be “blank” at the time of team arrival on March 13^th.

*This footprint should match the shape of their working playground space but does not have to be “to scale”.

Build Considerations

Participants will need to build their dream playground within their designated plots. Any items outside your playground footprint are not considered by the judging panel.
The playground should include AT LEAST three of the following elements:
- play equipment options, ensuring each element contributes to the overall functionality and appeal of the playground.
- green spaces, such as trees, gardens, or grassy areas, to promote environmental awareness and aesthetics.
- outdoor learning spaces that encourage exploration, creativity, and hands-on learning experiences.
- sports fields or courts for various activities such as soccer, basketball, or volleyball, promoting physical fitness and teamwork.
- personal elements that reflect the identity and culture of their school community, such as school colors, mascots, or landmarks.

MVSD Elementary Esports Build Challenge Video. (2024) . Uploaded by Kirsten Thompson. Available online at: www.fishbowlteaching.com

The video above was also shared as a way to “hook” student engagement in the activity while also allowing me to continue our ongoing professional development surrounding AI.

Stay tuned for further updates following the event on March 13th!