In June 2021, ASLA launched its first virtual design event for high school students using Minecraft, a popular gaming platform used by millions of youth -- and even adult -- gamers around the world.  

Developed by Mojang, Minecraft requires players to design and break apart a variety of blocks in three-dimensional worlds to create living and community spaces and structures. Microsoft designed a Minecraft Education Edition in 2016 that is now used by school communities globally through Discovery Education.  

ASLA’s Minecraft Design Competition provided a unique opportunity for a diverse community of students to learn about landscape architecture and ASLA. The competition attracted students from Washington, DC, Miami, and New York.  

Building on the success of the 2021 design competition, ASLA will launch its first series of Minecraft Design Camps beginning in June.

The program expands on our efforts to engage underrepresented high school students in landscape architecture, with the goal of diversifying the profession. The camps will allow students from diverse backgrounds across the country to collaborate with local ASLA chapters and immerse themselves in design learning around outdoor spaces.  

Landscape architects will utilize the camps to motivate students around ASLA’s mission areas, including: green infrastructure, equity in design, climate resilience, transportation for all, water and stormwater, and parks and recreation.  

The camps are part of ASLA’s pre-event celebrations for PreK-12 Summit, DREAM BIG with Design, scheduled for Thursday, September 22 and Friday, September 23.

If you missed ASLA’s Inaugural PreK-12 Summit -- DREAM BIG with Design: a Showcase of Landscape Architecture and PreK-12 Design Learning -- you may access the recordings.

Sign up here to learn more about our plans for 2022. 

Please direct questions about ASLA Career Discovery and Diversity to Lisa J. Jennings, Senior Manager at discover@asla.org.