Minecraft Education & Velocity Prize for Code Week 2026

NEW FOR 2026

Take on the Velocity Prize

One of the most exciting additions to this year’s Minecraft Education programme is the Velocity Prize, a new global skills challenge designed for students aged 13 to 16.

Developed by Minecraft Education and Microsoft, the challenge invites young people to put their computational thinking, coding and problem-solving skills to the test in a specially designed Minecraft world.

Some might explore the environment looking for clues, while others can use coding tools such as MakeCode or Python to develop more efficient strategies. Students with access to Microsoft 365 Copilot can also explore AI-assisted approaches to problem-solving.

The challenge encourages participants to experiment, refine their ideas and discover how different approaches can lead to better results. It also introduces skills relevant to cybersecurity, logical thinking and an increasingly AI-driven world.

The Velocity Prize competition opens in mid-October 2026, with educators able to submit their students’ three fastest times. Top-performing participants will have the opportunity to receive global recognition from Microsoft, exclusive prizes and mentorship opportunities.

Teachers can access preparation materials, a practice Minecraft world and supporting guidance to help students get ready for the competition.

It’s an exciting opportunity for young people to put their digital skills into practice and see how creativity, coding and critical thinking can work together.

Learn, play and create

Four Minecraft Education Play-Alongs to bring coding and AI into the classroom

Alongside the Velocity Prize, Minecraft Education is offering four interactive Play-Alongs that teachers can use with their classes during EU Code Week.

Led by Dream Space educators Michael Barrett and Neeve Hyland, these sessions combine storytelling, exploration and practical challenges to help students develop digital skills while having fun.

The Play-Alongs can be followed directly in the classroom, making them a useful option for teachers looking for structured activities to introduce coding, artificial intelligence and digital responsibility.

All four Play-Alongs can be explored through the Code Week Coders website, where educators can access further information and participation resources.

Professional development

Teacher Academy: Supporting educators every step of the way

Teachers don’t need to be Minecraft experts to bring game-based learning into their classrooms.

The Minecraft Education Teacher Academy provides free, on-demand professional learning opportunities to help educators build their confidence and discover practical ways to use Minecraft Education across different subjects.

The training includes:

• EU Code Week Teacher Readiness Workshop
• AI Foundations for Educators training with certification
• Minecraft Teacher Academy courses covering game-based learning, assessment, programming and project-based learning

Whether introducing Minecraft Education for the first time or looking for new approaches to teaching coding and AI, educators can develop their skills at their own pace and discover ideas to use with their students.

Classroom support

Practical teaching resources for the classroom

The programme also includes a dedicated collection of teacher guides and resources to help educators make the most of Minecraft Education.

These classroom-ready materials provide practical support for planning activities, introducing coding concepts and creating engaging learning experiences.

By offering accessible teaching guidance and structured resources, the programme aims to make it easier for educators to integrate digital skills into their lessons, regardless of their previous experience with Minecraft Education.

Creative teaching inspiration

The Crafting Table: Turning everyday lessons into creative experiences

Another resource available to educators is The Crafting Table, a bite-sized video series demonstrating how Minecraft Education can support creative teaching across the curriculum.

The series shows teachers how to use Minecraft Education alongside the AI-powered Lesson Crafter tool to transform core curriculum lessons into engaging, interactive learning experiences.

Rather than limiting digital skills to dedicated coding lessons, The Crafting Table explores how game-based learning can be incorporated into a variety of subjects, helping teachers bring familiar topics to life in new ways.

For educators interested in exploring AI-supported lesson planning, the series offers practical inspiration and manageable ideas to try in the classroom.

Get involved with Minecraft Education during EU Code Week 2026

EU Code Week is about helping everyone discover the possibilities of coding and digital creativity, and Minecraft Education provides an engaging way to turn that ambition into practical classroom experiences.

From competing in the new Velocity Prize and exploring AI through interactive Play-Alongs to accessing teacher training and creative classroom resources, there are opportunities for both students and educators to get involved.

Whether you’re planning your first coding activity or looking to build on your school’s existing digital skills programme, Minecraft Education offers a range of ways to participate in EU Code Week 2026.