Cluster Launches First Metaverse Contest for Junior High and High School Students
The contest marks Cluster's first dedicated effort to channel its metaverse platform into formal education, building on over 100 classes using cluster implemented or scheduled in fiscal year 2026.
Key Facts
- Cluster Inc. announced its first metaverse contest for junior high and high school students, the 'cluster Innovation Cup for youth.'
- A pilot pre-contest with the theme 'Update Your Hometown: The City I Would Create!' ran an application period from April 20 to June 19, 2026.
- An awards event for the pilot will be held July 3, 2026, in a virtual venue within the cluster platform.
- The main national tournament is planned for around fall 2026.
- In fiscal year 2026, over 100 classes using cluster have been implemented or scheduled, with support for DX High School, NEXT High School, and non-attendance.
Reporting from 1 source: PANORA.
Cluster Inc. announced its first metaverse contest exclusively for junior high and high school students, the 'cluster Innovation Cup for youth.' A pilot pre-contest is underway, with a national main tournament planned for fall 2026. The pilot theme is 'Update Your Hometown: The City I Would Create!' and an awards event will be held July 3, 2026, in a virtual venue within cluster.
The pilot pre-contest, which ran an application period from April 20 to June 19, was designed as a practical learning opportunity where students use metaverse technology to address local issues and collaboratively create deliverables. The theme asked participants to reimagine their hometowns. An awards event will be held July 3, 2026, at a virtual venue within cluster. The main tournament is planned for around fall 2026 on a national scale. All participants in the pilot receive 5,000 cluster points.
Cluster CEO Naoto Kato's company operates the metaverse platform cluster, which celebrates its 11th anniversary on July 7, 2026. In fiscal year 2026 alone, over 100 classes using cluster have been implemented or scheduled, with support areas expanding to include DX High School support, NEXT High School, and support for non-attendance. The contest is positioned as the culmination of these efforts, providing a platform for students to express and disseminate local issues in virtual space.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the 1 cited source below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.