The Mayor’s got game, say kids

Instructors outnumbered students 5-1 at the School District of Philadelphia on Thursday.

The students: Mayor Jim Kenney and SDP Superintendent William Hite.

The subject: Minecraft 101.

The instructors: 11 bright-eyed gamers, ages 5-12.

Following a press conference officially launching PCCY’s Block By Block Party, Mayor Kenney and Dr. Hite sat down with avid Minecrafters to learn the basics of the world’s most popular video game.

Autumn, 12, worked with the Mayor on how to move around in the game and build a simple house.

“He got it really, really fast! It was fun,” Autumn reported later, who added that the two VIPs were tickled by their custom Minecraft avatars.

With Minecraft, it’s always fun, even for grownups. That’s why the city’s abuzz with Minecraft, in anticipation of what will be the largest Minecraft gaming event designed just for kids, PCCY’s Block By Block Party, taking place on September 16 and 17 at University of the Sciences’ sleek campus in West Philadelphia.  

The Block By Block Party will raise funds for a new grant program for innovative strategies to bring hi-tech learning tools into Philadelphia classrooms as well as support Public Citizens for Children and Youth, celebrating its 37th year of effective child advocacy in the region. 

“I’m so pleased Philadelphia will be home to this first ever and really massive scale gaming event that will inspire kids and get them involved in helping other kids by raising funds for our schools and PCCY,” Mayor Kenney said at the launch. 

Selling well over 100 million copies worldwide, Minecraft has been hailed as a boon to creative play that promotes STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) learning.

“My own grandson enjoys playing games, and even at his young age, I know he and students like those I learned from today, are setting themselves up for success by learning how to think critically and exercise their minds,” said Dr. Hite. “Thanks to the Block by Block Party and PCCY’s work, our communities will help supplement the existing STEM resources in our schools and help provide quality educational experiences for all students.”

“PCCY made an intentional decision to organize this event using the Minecraft platform, not simply because it’s the most widely used children’s game in the world,” explained PCCY Board President Brian Rankin. “We chose it because it’s educationally sound, builds real and usable knowledge, and because its open approach to play unites children across race, class, gender and culture.” 

Rankin also announced the first three corporate sponsors of the Block By Block Party: Wells Fargo, ITDATA Inc., and Goldenberg Group. He also thanked event partner University of the Sciences for hosting the first annual Block By Block Party for free.

Block By Block in the news!

WPVI: Mayor Kenney gets tips from “Gamers”
Inquirer: Kenney, Hite announce Block by Block Party with Minecraft
Tribune: Minecraft block party to aid district’s technology efforts
METRO: Kids teach Minecraft to Hite and Kenney
WHYY: Philly tapping into ‘Minecraft’ to build up long-term funding for schools
KYW: Students Show City Officials The Ropes In ‘Minecraft’ Video Game
Education Week: Minecraft Party to Raise Money for Technology in Philly Schools