NEW YORK (PIX11) — New York City students are playing video games in class, helping shape their future careers and their city.
Minecraft is an online video game that requires players to use skill and strategy as they create structures, solve problems, and interact with the environment.
School teachers can use adventure games to support learning and create lessons on a variety of topics.
The New York City Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment will host the second annual Mayor's Cup on Saturday at the Brooklyn Central Library.
Microsoft owns adventure games and has encouraged and supported their educational use.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams said the city needs video game developers as the industry moves in.
Students said it teaches teamwork and communication.
At John Dewey High School in Gravesend, Brooklyn, on the border with Coney Island, the Minecraft club is meeting to prepare for this year's competition.
Mushfiq Ahmed is a science teacher at John Dewey High School who started the Minecraft program to help keep his students connected during the 2020 pandemic.
“There are a lot of ways to bring video games into the classroom,” he said.
He said the students learned teamwork, critical thinking and leadership skills.
Last year, John Dewey High School won the Battle of the Roses.
This year's design challenges include ideas for the redevelopment of the Kingsbridge Armory in the Bronx and sustainability projects.