Coding With Minecraft

This Coding with Minecraft camp introduces students to core computer programming concepts and computational thinking skills. It builds on the popularity of Minecraft, featuring Minecraft Education Edition and the Computing with Minecraft dev world, and introduces Microsoft MakeCode, a block- and JavaScript-programming editor in the free Code Connection app. The course is comprised of five units that combine a variety of computer programming skills in a structured, linear approach to build a city with road networks, buildings, a park, a zoo, and a wind farm in their Minecraft world—all through coding. Lessons include guided coding activities to gain hands-on coding experience, knowledge check questions to assess their learning, and optional activities for students to apply what they’ve learned. 

This camp targets students ages 8-11, and can also engage more advanced students of ages 5-7. It is designed to accommodate participants without any Minecraft or coding experience. 

By the end of this camp, students will be able to:

• Describe what coding is.
• Apply the following programming concepts as block code and/or JavaScript in Microsoft MakeCode to build a city in Minecraft:
  • Event handlers 
  • Coordinates, absolute world positions, and relative player positions
  • Loops
• Create multiple lines of code with an intended outcome.
• Merge multiple types of coding features to create one outcome and complete large, varied tasks. 
• Understand how code can be used to create large-scale actions that would manually take longer.
• Merge mathematics with code to create calculated in-game actions.
• Recognize more than one way to achieve the same result through code.
• Focus on the design aspect and merging this with code for a unique outcome, showing that code is commanded by design first.
• Use code to design a moving system with animation to a practical, subject-based topic.

This camp runs Monday - Friday from 9am - 3:30pm. For extended hours, before-care (8am-9am) and after-care (3:30pm-6pm) may be purchased at additional cost.

Camp Overview

Day 1: Kick Start

Day 2: Explore

Day 3: Engage

Day 4: Project

Day 5: Presentation

Camp Daily Schedule

• 9:00am: Intro + Kickstart Activity
• 9:30am: Explain and Explore
• 10:00am: Engagement Activity
• 12:00pm: Lunch Break
• 12:30pm: Project Time
• 02:00pm: Paired Programming + Presentation
• 03:00pm: Wrap Activity
• 03:30pm: Early Dismissal