Minecraft: Battle of the Counties
Yolo County students in grades 3–12 are invited to explore their communities, tackle real-world challenges and design solutions using Minecraft Education. Battle of the Counties is a creative competition that combines Minecraft, civic learning and problem-solving. Students will explore a digital version of Yolo County, learn about local people and places, and develop ideas to make their communities better.
What is Battle of the Counties?
What is Battle of the Counties?
What is Battle of the Counties?
Battle of the Counties is a statewide pilot competition involving four county offices of education: Yolo, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino.
Using Minecraft Education, students explore digital recreations of California communities, learn about local issues and develop creative solutions to real-world challenges. Unlike traditional esports competitions that focus on gaming skills, Battle of the Counties emphasizes civic engagement, creativity, collaboration and problem-solving. Students do not need competitive gaming experience or advanced Minecraft skills to participate.
WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?
WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?
WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?
There is a place for students at every grade level. Students in grades 3–12 attending Yolo County school districts and charter schools are invited to participate.
| Division | Grade Levels |
| Elementary | 3-5 |
| Middle School | 6-8 |
| High School | 9-12 |
- Students may participate individually or in teams of up to four.
- Teams compete within their grade-level division.
- Students do not need to belong to an established esports team.
- There is no entry fee.
During this pilot year, YCOE is encouraging broad participation and working with educators and schools to help students get involved.
HoW DOES IT WORK?
HoW DOES IT WORK?
HoW DOES IT WORK?
1. Explore your community
Enter the Yolo County Minecraft world and explore local places, people and community challenges.
Enter the Yolo County Minecraft world and explore local places, people and community challenges.
2. Investigate a challenge
Interact with virtual community members and learn more about an issue affecting the community.
3. Design a solution
Use Minecraft to develop a creative solution that could help address the challenge.
Use Minecraft to develop a creative solution that could help address the challenge.
4. Share your idea
Submit a project summary and a video of up to five minutes demonstrating and explaining your proposed solution.
Submit a project summary and a video of up to five minutes demonstrating and explaining your proposed solution.
What do teams submit?
- A summary of the project and proposed solution.
- A recorded video, up to five minutes, demonstrating and explaining the project.
INFO FOR ADULTS & EDUCATORS
INFO FOR ADULTS & EDUCATORS
INFO FOR ADULTS & EDUCATORS
Complete the official team registration and submit Virtual Tour (mp4) through the Official Team Submission form on the Level Up Civics website. More information found in the Competition Guide & FAQ document.
Your role is to help students meet published deadlines and participation requirements.
Key Competition daTES
Key Competition daTES
Key Competition daTES
November 22, 2026: Virtual qualifier video submissions due
Late November–early December 2026: Projects reviewed and judged by local judges.
December 9, 2026: Yolo County Celebration and Awards Ceremony
All participating students and teams are invited. Yolo County's state competition representatives will be announced.
January 9, 2027: State Competition
Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, Yorba Linda, California.
REsources & Support
REsources & Support
REsources & Support
You don't have to be a Minecraft expert to participate.
Educator guides, student resources and technical support are available to help schools and students get started. YCOE will also work with educators who need assistance accessing Minecraft Education.
Suggested links or downloads:
- One page Overview for Yolo County Educators
- Educator guide
- Competition resources
- Official Team Submission form
Questions?
For information about participating in Yolo County, contact Hayley Yasui at hayley.yasui@ycoe.org. You can also submit a help request here.
Frequently asked Questions
Frequently asked Questions
Frequently asked Questions
How many students can be on a team?
For Yolo County's pilot year, virtual qualifier submissions may include one to four students. YCOE is allowing schools to submit up to three teams, with no more than one team per division, to encourage broad participation.
Do students need to know how to play Minecraft?
No! Students do not need prior Minecraft experience or advanced building skills. The competition focuses on understanding community challenges and developing thoughtful solutions, not gaming ability.
Do teachers or advisors need Minecraft experience?
No. Educators serve as facilitators, helping students investigate problems, ask questions and develop their ideas. YCOE and Level Up Civics provide training, resources and ongoing support.
What will students be asked to do?
Students will:
- Explore their county's Minecraft world.
- Investigate an assigned community challenge.
- Interact with virtual community members and gather information.
- Design and build a proposed solution in Minecraft.
- Prepare a project summary and recorded video of up to five minutes explaining their solution.
How much does it cost to participate?
There is no competition entry fee for the 2026–27 pilot year. Schools may have other local costs related to technology, staffing or transportation. YCOE can help districts explore Minecraft Education licensing options.
How much time does participation require?
The schedule is flexible. Schools can incorporate the project into classroom instruction, an esports club, an after-school program or another learning opportunity.
How will projects be judged?
Projects will be evaluated based on the community challenge, student learning and evidence, design and creativity, and communication and team voice. Technical Minecraft skills are not a separate judging category.
What happens after the virtual submissions?
Projects will be reviewed and judged in late November and early December. All participating teams will be invited to the December 9 awards ceremony in Woodland. Teams selected to represent Yolo County at the state competition will be announced during the ceremony.
