Awakening STEM vocations through Minecraft Education
In partnership with the Community of Madrid and local governments, Microsoft is using Minecraft Education to spark interest in technology among middle grade students. Combining study and play, Awakening STEM Vocations through Minecraft Education introduces students to key topics in technology such as AI and cybersecurity and helps them build digital skills. In 2024, the project reached more than 1,250 5th and 6th grade students at public schools across Algete, Meco, and San Sebastián de los Reyes.
Introducing schoolchildren to technology through creative play
Students enter the world of Minecraft Education, a Microsoft educational platform, to learn in an interactive and fun way that encourages creativity and teamwork. “Minecraft is a tool that develops the creativity of students and allows them to work collaboratively in the design of spaces… based on decision-making,” observes David Cervera Olivares, an education minister for the Community of Madrid.
Microsoft and digital education partner Letcraft organized 50 workshops on technology topics such as programming and cybersecurity using Minecraft Education. The project provides students and teachers with guides, activities, and best practices on the use of technology. Students work together on creative projects, learning planning and decision-making skills as well as important digital skills such as online safety. Irene López, Meco City Councilor, explains that “through the Minecraft Education project in the schools of Meco, creativity and teamwork have been promoted in the educational field, allowing students to learn in an interactive and fun way.”
In addition to the workshop curriculum, the Minecraft Education program included resources for teachers and parents such as a free resource portal with teaching materials and an online conference on digital education featuring speakers from PantallasAmigas, an organization dedicated to internet safety, and other pedagogy experts. The program culminated with a community event sponsored by the City Council of Algete, at which 235 students and teachers gathered to share their experience learning with Minecraft Education.
“This initiative... has allowed children to approach the STEM world, an area that will be essential for the integral development of students in the current local and global context.”—Maria Ordóñez, Councilor for Education, City of San Sebastian de los Reyes
Growing digital awareness to prepare students for a modern economy
The Minecraft Education initiative is designed to introduce students to digital technology, which is likely to play an important role in their professional development. Ana Liesa, Head of Community Relations at Microsoft, explains: “At Microsoft we are committed to building and implementing initiatives that address societal challenges and benefit the communities where our datacenters are located. We are excited to contribute to digital skills and training in technologies such as AI from an early age…”
The community has responded with enthusiasm to the Minecraft Education initiative. Teachers appreciated the program as a classroom resource for teaching digital literacy and awakening students’ interest in technology in general and in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) vocations. Students enjoyed building IT skills in a motivating and entertaining format and left with a sense of technology as an important skill. Most students (80%) said they consider learning about technology to be important for their professional development. Maria Ordóñez, Councilor for Education, City of San Sebastian de los Reyes, credited the Minecraft Education project with preparing students for their future: “This initiative… has allowed children to approach the STEM world, an area that will be essential for the integral development of students in the current local and global context.”
The Minecraft Education initiative has proven to be a catalyst to strengthening digital skills among younger students and awakening their ambition to pursue STEM vocations. This is especially important in these three Madrid municipalities, as they host the datacenters of the Central Spain region. As a robust digital ecosystem emerges in these communities, education initiatives like the Minecraft Education program position the next generation to take advantage of professional opportunities in the technology sector.