Year 7 Digital Challenges

eSports: Minecraft Challenge

Build a world-famous landmark, block by block — and train like a real eSports athlete while you do it. Because peak performance at a screen starts away from the screen.

1

eSports is a real sport — with real athletes

Australia has its own professional eSports competition: the Australian Esports League (AEL). Players compete in a range of games — including Minecraft — for real prizes, in front of real crowds.

A common misconception is that competing in eSports is unhealthy. Why do you think some people believe that? What are the negative stereotypes of gamers?
Cartoon of a stereotypical gamer slouched at a keyboard in a messy lounge room
This is the first result from a Google image search of a "stereotypical gamer".
2

The stereotype vs the reality

Flip the switch and compare the two pictures. One is the "stereotypical gamer" you might find in a lazy internet search. The other is what a professional eSports athlete's setup actually looks like.

The Stereotype The Reality
A gamer sitting in a dark room late at night, surrounded by energy drink cans, chip packets and chocolate wrappers, looking exhausted.

The stereotype: dark room, no sleep, soft drink and snacks — running on empty.

The reality: professional eSports teams employ fitness trainers, nutritionists, physiotherapists and sleep coaches. Why? Because reaction time, focus and stamina all come from a healthy body — the same reason office workers are encouraged to move, stretch and eat well during the work day. How do you achieve peak performance in anything? You train the whole athlete, not just the thumbs.
A row of professional eSports athletes competing on stage in matching team jerseys and headsets, with water bottles on the desk
The reality: professional eSports athletes in competition — team uniforms, focus, and water on the desk.
3

Whiteboard brainstorm: bust the stereotypes

As a class, we'll brainstorm each of these on the whiteboard. Tap a card for questions to get your thinking started — what does the stereotype say, and what would a real professional do instead?

👕AppearanceTap to think
What does the stereotype look like? How do pro teams present themselves at tournaments and in team photos?
💭AttitudeTap to think
Lazy and unmotivated — or disciplined, competitive and coachable? What attitude does it take to train hours a day?
🧼HygieneTap to think
Why might the stereotype say gamers have poor hygiene? How does looking after yourself affect how you feel and perform?
🍎DietTap to think
Chips and lollies — or food that keeps energy steady for hours? What do you think pro teams' nutritionists recommend?
💧HydrationTap to think
Energy drinks and soft drink — or water? What happens to your concentration when you're even a little dehydrated?
🗣️SocialisationTap to think
Alone in a dark room — or part of a team? How much communication and teamwork does competitive gaming actually take?
💪FitnessTap to think
Why would an eSports team hire a fitness trainer? What does exercise do for reaction time, focus and stamina?
😴SleepTap to think
Gaming until 2am — or a proper bedtime? Why would a team pay for a sleep coach, and what happens to your reaction time after a bad night?
15 min
How often WE will move during today's build session
20-20-20
Every 20 minutes, look about 6 metres away for 20 seconds — give your eyes a break
~2%
Even this small amount of dehydration can noticeably slow concentration and reaction time
4

Fuel Station: pick your competition-day supplies

You're packing a bag for a full day at an eSports tournament (or a big day at the office — same rules apply). Tap the items you'd take. Green means smart fuel; red means it'll cost you later.

5

Your challenge: build a famous landmark

Today we are simulating a previous AEL Minecraft competition — with a twist. You have one lesson to work on the modelling component, and every 15 minutes we'll add a physical fitness activity, just like a real athlete's training block.

The Eiffel Tower recreated block by block in Minecraft
The Eiffel Tower, recreated in Minecraft.
The Statue of Liberty recreated at full scale in Minecraft
The Statue of Liberty at 1:1 scale — builds like these are what you're aiming for.

🏗️ The Build

Select a famous constructed landmark that exists somewhere in the world — think bridges, towers, monuments, stadiums. In teams of 1–4, recreate it inside the simulated world of Minecraft. It can be a team build, but you will make your own submission for assessment.

Teams of 1–4 Constructed landmarks only Individual submission
Keep the end goal in mind: we will revisit this task in a future lesson, but it's important to know what you are working towards achieving — check the steps and rubric below before you place your first block.
6

eSports exercise roster + hydration

Every 15 minutes you will be directed to complete one of these activities. Real eSports athletes build movement into their training schedule — today, so do we.

Star Jumps

20 star jumps — get the heart rate up and the blood moving back to your brain.

Power-Walk + Run

2 × power-walk to the tree near the JPC oval, run back (careful on the "stairs") — and grab a quick drink from the fountain on the way.

Plank or Push-Ups

30-second plank (then quickly hydrate) OR 10 push-ups / crunches. Core strength = better posture at the keyboard.

Stair Circuit

2 × walk down the stairs into the Callan courtyard, run around the far table next to the 11/12 common room, then run back up.

Wall Sit + Water Break

45-second wall sit against any flat wall — back straight, knees bent like an invisible chair. Then finish what is left in your water bottle.

Desk Reset

10 shoulder rolls, then stand and reach for the ceiling for 10 seconds. Finish with 20-20-20: look at something about 6 metres away for 20 seconds.

Optional bonus challenge: can you out-plank your teacher?!
7

Power-Up Quiz: are you performance-ready?

Eight questions on today's big ideas — movement, diet and hydration for anyone who spends serious time at a screen. You have three hearts. Good luck!

Question 1 of 8

8

In the second (double) lesson…

Note: you don't have to get these steps completed in the first lesson — this is where the task is heading.

  1. Finish the build. Complete the modelling of your famous man-made structure in Minecraft.
  2. Start a PowerPoint with the heading "eSports Minecraft Challenge".
  3. Capture screenshots of your structure using the Snipping Tool you were shown last lesson, and paste them into the PowerPoint.
  4. Research 5 interesting facts about the structure your team modelled and include them on a slide. For a higher result: also include a 100-word explanation of why an eSports athlete needs to focus on their mental and physical health.
  5. Use the Designer options to improve the appearance of your slides.
  6. Upload into Simon for assessment — the task is called "eSports Minecraft Challenge".
Referencing reminder: include a reference slide at the end of your PowerPoint listing the address (URL) plus the date and time you accessed each image and information source. Google should not be used as a reference — click through to the actual webpage where the image or information is published.
9

How your work will be assessed

CriteriaDevelopingConsolidatingExtending
Knowledge Minimal information has been included about your structure. 5 interesting facts about your structure have been included in the submission. An additional slide includes a 100-word description (paragraph or bullet points) of how to stay mentally and physically healthy as an eSports professional.
Process A PowerPoint and/or images have been submitted, but there are either fewer than 4 images, or no Designer/formatting of the slides. A PowerPoint with at least 4 images of the Minecraft structure, using Designer or formatting tools to add colour and interest to your slides. A reference slide is included at the end of your PowerPoint, specifying the address (URL) plus date and time of access for each image and information source used.