Put science to the test—Minecraft style!
In this hands-on STEM class, students rotate through exciting challenges that bring science concepts to life. They will build roller coasters with Redstone to explore energy, experiment with virtual elements using Minecraft Chemistry, and dive into the Sustainability City world to learn about renewable energy and resource management. By combining imagination with real-world science, students walk away with a deeper understanding of STEM concepts and how they apply to everyday life.
Weekly Class Topics and Projects
Week 1
- Topic(s) Covered: Physics – Potential & Kinetic Energy (Roller Coasters).
- Simple Project: Build a basic roller coaster with a starting hill to demonstrate potential energy converting to kinetic energy.
Week 2
- Topic(s) Covered: Physics – Forces (Gravity, friction) on minecarts.
- Simple Project: Experiment with different slopes and track types to see how they affect minecart speed and distance traveled.
Week 3
- Topic(s) Covered: Chemistry – Introduction to Element Constructor.
- Simple Project: Create several basic elements (e.g., Hydrogen, Oxygen, Carbon) using the Element Constructor.
Week 4
- Topic(s) Covered: Chemistry – Compound Creator (basic compounds).
- Simple Project: Combine elements to create common compounds like Water (H2O) and Salt (NaCl).
Week 5
- Topic(s) Covered: Chemistry – Lab Table (crafting chemical items).
- Simple Project: Use the Lab Table to create a simple chemical item, such as a Heat Block or an Ice Bomb.
Week 6
- Topic(s) Covered: Engineering – Bridge Building (strength and stability).
- Simple Project: Design and build a bridge across a small gap using different materials and test its stability.
Week 7
- Topic(s) Covered: Engineering – Structural Integrity (arches, trusses).
- Simple Project: Build an arch bridge or a truss bridge and compare its strength to a flat bridge.
Week 8
- Topic(s) Covered: Environmental Science – Renewable Energy (Solar).
- Simple Project: Build a solar-powered Redstone circuit using daylight sensors to activate lights at night.
Week 9
- Topic(s) Covered: Environmental Science – Renewable Energy (Wind/Water simulation).
- Simple Project: Design a Redstone-powered “wind turbine” or “water wheel” that visually represents power generation (e.g., spinning blades).
Week 10
- Topic(s) Covered: Environmental Science – Waste Management and Recycling.
- Simple Project: Create an automated sorting system for “recyclable” blocks (e.g., stone, dirt) into separate chests, with an “incinerator” for non-recyclables.
Week 11
- Topic(s) Covered: Biology – Plant Growth and Optimization.
- Simple Project: Experiment with different light levels and water sources to optimize crop growth rate.
Week 12
- Topic(s) Covered: Biology – Animal Breeding and Population Dynamics.
- Simple Project: Set up an animal farm and manage animal breeding to maintain a healthy population.
Week 13
- Topic(s) Covered: Data Collection & Analysis (simple in-game experiments).
- Simple Project: Conduct an experiment (e.g., how far does a TNT blast travel, how quickly does lava spread) and record observations.
Week 14
- Topic(s) Covered: Comprehensive STEM Challenge – Sustainable City Element.
- Simple Project: Design and build a small section of a sustainable city, incorporating at least two different STEM concepts (e.g., a solar-powered water filtration system).
Dates & Times
August 27 – December 10, 2025
3:45 – 5:00 p.m.
No class dates: 11/26