Malta Minecraft Digital Challenge: empowering student creativity with code
Minecraft has evolved far beyond its roots in games. Its Education Edition it is used in classrooms around the world, and is a dynamic educational tool that fosters creativity, collaboration, and computational thinking.
Malta welcomes this potential with a new and bold initiative: the Minecraft Education Challenge: Malta Competition, launched during EU Code Week 2025.
On 28 October 2025, the Malta Digital Innovation Authority joined the Directorate for Digital Literacy and Transversal Skills (DDLTS) to host a Minecraft Education Edition training session in DiHubMT, located in the Malta Digital Innovation Authority (MDIA) building.
The session, led by Steve Tirchett from DDLTS, welcomed educators into the immersive world of the Minecraft Education Edition. Dr. Omar Seguna (Education Officer, DDLTS) shared information about the educational value of Minecraft.
What is this educational challenge about?
Organised by the MDIA in partnership with Gaming Malta, Microsoft, and the DAIGON Esports Team, this national competition invites students to engage in digital storytelling and coding through the Minecraft Education Edition.
The initiative is being delivered in collaboration with the Directorate of Digital Literacy and Transversal Skills and the Secretariat for Catholic Education, reinforcing Malta’s commitment to innovative and inclusive education.
The challenge is open to three age categories:
- Primary Schools (age 7–11)
- Medium Schools (age 12–14)
- Upper Secondary (age 14+)
Why Minecraft?
The Minecraft Education Edition transforms learning by:
- Encouraging creativity and design thinking
- Promoting problem solving and critical thinking
- Supporting collaboration and communication
- Improving digital literacy
- Adapting to diverse learning needs
Compared to coding, Minecraft becomes a powerful tool for teaching programming concepts; students automate tasks, build interactive worlds, and solve challenges using the code.
Code Week meets crafts
The EU Codes Week celebrates coding as a fun and inclusive skill for all. Minecraft perfectly aligns with this mission by:
- Promoting creativity and collaboration
- Developing computational thinking
- Inspiring future innovators
During Code Week, schools across Europe host Minecraft coding challenges that blend teamwork, stories, and digital skills. As an active member of EU Code Week, Malta is deepening its commitment to digital education by launching its own national competition to empower students to codify, create, and collaborate through the Minecraft Education Edition.
Teachers can register their school participation until 23 November 2025. This is more than a competition! It is an opportunity to stimulate curiosity, foster innovation, and empower students through the transformative power of coding.
