2024 CDA Minecraft theme announced: LitCraft – Imagination to Creation

Introduction

Are you a Minecraft enthusiast with a passion for literature? If so, the LitCraft: Imagination to Creation competition is your chance to merge your love for both Minecraft and books into a creative masterpiece. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the exciting details of the 2024 LitCraft competition, where students get the opportunity to transform the worlds of their favorite books into captivating Minecraft builds.

Theme/Task: Bringing Literature to Life

The heart of this year’s competition revolves around the theme “LitCraft: Imagination to Creation.” From the very beginning of their academic journey, students learn to identify the setting of a story. Now, this competition challenges them to take their understanding of literary settings and bring them to life in the virtual world of Minecraft.

Participants are tasked with constructing the world from a book of their choice using Minecraft as their artistic medium. Whether it’s the magical realm of Harry Potter, the dystopian society of The Hunger Games, or any other literary world, students are encouraged to let their creativity run wild. The goal is to tell a vivid story within the Minecraft environment, utilizing the tools at their disposal and showcasing their voice-over and screencasting skills.

Team & Build Size: Collaboration is Key

The LitCraft competition is open to individual students or teams of any size. Whether you’re working solo or with friends, you can configure your project to a scale that you find manageable. When registering, teams should provide a team name rather than individual student names, as this is a team challenge.

Video Entry: Showcasing Your Minecraft Masterpiece

A crucial part of the competition is creating a 3-minute screencast video that showcases your Minecraft build. This video should be recorded live from your device screen using the software of your choice. You have the flexibility to use a voice-over, on-screen titles, or a combination of both to describe the features of your build. Additionally, teams are required to submit a process document that outlines their research, design, and build process.

Game Specifications: Let Your Creativity Shine

All content within your Minecraft build should be original work created by you or your team. You can use Minecraft Education Edition, the PC/Mac version, console version, or the iOS/iPadOS version, as long as you can capture and share a screen recording on YouTube. Stick to the default texture pack; mods are not allowed in this competition.

Review the Rubric & Register: Key Dates and Details

Ensure you stay on top of the registration process and submission deadlines. All Minecraft build screen capture videos must be submitted by the competition deadline. Detailed registration information and deadlines can be found on the competition’s official website.

Final Product Submission: Making It Easy

To streamline the submission process, students are required to create an edited screen capture/video showcasing their Minecraft build on the theme. This approach allows students to concentrate on their research, design, build, and video presentation, making it easier for coordinators to submit the finished product.

Video Submission Requirements:

– Use a screen capture software of your choice to record your Minecraft video.
– Your screen capture/video must be uploaded to YouTube.
– Your video must not exceed 3 minutes in length.
– If you choose to include additional media, it must either be original student creations, media standard to Minecraft, or Creative Commons licensed.

Competition Resources (Optional)

If you’re looking for additional resources, here are some valuable links:

– Minecraft Education Edition: [Link](https://education.minecraft.net/)
– Minecraft Official Website: [Link](https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/)
– JCPS MEE Info Site (great resources that any district can use): (jcps.me/mee)
– Review 2022 STLP Minecraft Champion entries: (2023 State Digital Product exemplars)
– Recording screen of iPad: (https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT207935)

Conclusion

The 2024 LitCraft: Imagination to Creation competition is a thrilling opportunity for students to blend their love for literature with their passion for Minecraft. Get ready to embark on a creative journey as you bring your favorite literary worlds to life within the Minecraft universe. Whether you’re a seasoned Minecraft builder or a newcomer, this competition is your chance to showcase your skills and storytelling abilities. Best of luck, and may your Minecraft creations truly captivate the essence of your chosen book’s world!

image that says 2023-2024 STLP Minecraft: Litcraft - Imagination to Creation, Creative Digital Arts STLP with a QR code linking to Minecraft STLP rubric