Congratulations to the amazing grade 5 and 6 students from St. George Catholic Elementary School! They recently won the Minecraft Provincial eSport's Championship Finals, beating out 23 other teams from across Ontario. The competition was held at the impressive Microsoft headquarters in downtown Toronto, where the students celebrated their hard-earned victory with pizza and great teamwork.
Passionate Educators - Inspiring Students Today and in the Future
St. George students were first introduced to Minecraft by educators Calum MacKenzie and Krista Sarginson about 5 to 6 years ago, starting with a group called OCSB Blockheads, and the demand for the program has only grown. Since then, educators MacKenzie and Jacqueline Lawlor have spent a year exploring the benefits of play for students in grades 4-6 beyond the Minecraft screens. They looked at everything from outdoor activities with local Indigenous Knowledge Keepers and Storytellers to robotics! These innovative educators created cardboard arcades with digital games to teach students about social justice issues relating to the importance of clean water for all. These experiences have shown them how important it is to incorporate play into everyday classroom activities, allowing students to express their thoughts differently than traditional methods.
Deep Learning at OCSB
Deep Learning is a significant focus at OCSB; its application can be seen in the classroom, sports, and e-sports, where creativity and collaboration play a vital role in achieving success.
With Great Efforts Comes Great Rewards
The St. George students who participated in the Minecraft Finals considered their trip to Toronto a fantastic way to celebrate the end of their final year of elementary school, particularly after several years of COVID-related education. It was a rewarding experience for them, as everything they learned in class and at their club paid off during their tournament. The experience showed them the significance of working together and communicating effectively to reach their objectives. The chance to play video games at school, with the added benefit of educational value, served as an excellent motivator for the students. Their hard work secured a spot in the finals, but their teamwork led them to victory and tournament champions.
