From left are Bo Winkels, Patrick Ferrie and Grayson Zapel, members of Earth’s Green Team. The trio from Beaty-Warren Middle School recently won the Pennsylvania Scholastic eSports League Regional Minecraft Education Build Challenge.

A team of students from Beaty-Warren Middle School has earned top honors in the Pennsylvania Scholastic eSports League Regional Minecraft Education Build Challenge, securing first place at the elementary level and advancing to the state championship.

The team, named Earth’s Green Team, competed against schools from a 14-county region across Pennsylvania. Their regional victory qualifies them for the PSEL State Championship, which will be held on Feb. 6, in Lancaster at the Just Press Play Mega Store.

Earth’s Green Team is made up of Bo Winkels, Patrick Ferrie, and Grayson Zapel, who worked collaboratively to design a Minecraft-based solution focused on sustainable agriculture.

“I felt astonished at how fast it went from submitting our project to hearing that we made it to states,” said team member Grayson Zapel. “I expect it to be really challenging but a lot of fun.”

Teammate Patrick Ferrie shared similar excitement, saying, “I’m nervous about going to states but also extremely excited!”

The Build Challenge, titled “Building Pennsylvania’s Future Through Sustainable Agriculture,” tasked students with designing and building a farm in Minecraft that could feed and support a community. The challenge connects to one of Governor Josh Shapiro’s key economic development priorities, agriculture and highlighting its role in food security, health and sustainability.

Teams were required to grow crops, raise animals, and incorporate features such as water channels, fencing, and creative decorations to make their farms both functional and welcoming.

According to team advisor Meggi Brown, the students exceeded expectations.

“Grayson, Bo and Patrick designed an impressive Minecraft farm featuring futuristic farming techniques, perfectly meeting the challenge requirements,” Brown said. “They also did a great job working together as a team and put together a wonderful video presentation for the judges.”

The first round of the competition ran virtually and asynchronously from November 10 through December 19, allowing teams to work during and outside of school hours with teacher and administrator approval. Hundreds of teams from across the state participated.

At the State Championship, regional winners from the elementary, middle, and high school divisions will compete in person. On February 6, students will receive a brand-new challenge and will have two hours to plan and build a Minecraft Education world addressing that challenge. Their work will be judged using the same rubric as the regional round.