[Atlanta, February 3, 2026] – The Network of Academic and Scholastic Esports Federations (NASEF) and LearnCraft are partnering to leverage NASEF’s esports programs and framework to strengthen educational innovation, offer teacher professional development, and bolster student engagement through game-based learning and scholastic esports initiatives.

LearnCraft is a teacher-training and educational innovation project that will be implemented during 2026 across six cities in Chile, with activities based in Santiago and other regional hubs. The partnership aims to connect Chilean educators with high-quality global initiatives, best practices, and opportunities developed by NASEF. The project is expected to directly impact more than 200 teachers and, indirectly, thousands of students nationwide through classroom implementation and extracurricular learning spaces.

LearnCraft will leverage several of NASEF’s world-renowned programs including:

• Farmcraft, which leverages Minecraft to teach youth about modern agriculture
• Rube Goldberg challenges offered in Minecraft to teach engineering design principles 
• Mario Kart Time Trials Competition, connecting students around the world for a fun series of events
• Guidance in developing scholastic esports clubs in school communities, going beyond the game to incorporate development of career skills
• Instruction for teachers to implement NASEF’s approach which integrates esports, game-based learning, and Minecraft-based educational experiences that align with curricular and extracurricular objectives.

Through LearnCraft, 12 teacher-training workshops will be offered in six cities across Chile, equipping educators with practical strategies for game-based learning, digital literacy, and innovative classroom practices. As part of the initiative, participating schools and students will be granted free access to Minecraft Education, expanding opportunities for engaging, creative, and inclusive English learning experiences. Interested educators in Chile can sign up to learn more about the program here

“We are excited to partner with NASEF to expand access to innovative and high-quality English learning experiences for young people. This collaboration allows us to combine educational innovation, technology, and meaningful engagement to create opportunities that empower both students and educators across Chile,” said Sebastián Vásquez, Director of Innovation and Educational Projects at the Instituto Chileno Norteamericano.

“NASEF’s educational approach that blends play and project-based learning is popular around the world because it is so successful,” said Gerald Solomon, Executive Director of NASEF. “We’re pleased to collaborate with LearnCraft to engage educators and students in Chile with our proven Minecraft education programs and Beyond the Game philosophy that leverages youth interest in video games for meaningful education.” 

About LearnCraft

LearnCraft is an Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF)–funded project, supported by the U.S. Embassy, and led by its representatives Sebastián Vásquez and Darian Figueroa, who are Chilean alumni of U.S. Government exchange programs. The project combines educational innovation, English language teaching, and educational technology to support teachers and students across Chile. Learn more on Instagram: @LearnCraftChile  

About NASEF

NASEF equips education, community and industry leaders to maximize the potential of scholastic esports. As a non-profit, NASEF supports leaders and youth to develop career and professional skills through a unique blend of play and learning. Using its research-backed approach, NASEF guides organizations around the world striving to make impacts through scholastic esports.

NASEF operates under the umbrella of the World Wide Scholastic Esports Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit headquartered in Atlanta, GA. The International Esports Federation has entrusted NASEF with training and supporting its 130+ member federations as they undertake development of scholastic esports programs. Find NASEF at NASEF.org and on X/Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

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