The US Federal Aviation Administration wants to hear from students around the world about their ideas for airport design.

The FAA’s airport design challenge is to start on April 1 and will use the Microsoft computer game Minecraft as part of a programme offering students studying science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) across the globe  the chance to talk to aviation professionals, including 150 FAA staff, and learn about the aerospace industry.

“We need to continue to reach out to youth in their areas of interest,” said Acting FAA Administrator Billy Nolen. “The Airport Design Challenges does this by combining gaming and aviation to develop our leaders of tomorrow.”

“During the competition, students collaborate in small teams to learn about their local airports and to complete developmental tasks in Minecraft,” the FAA said in its announcement.