This is the repository for the Minecraft U curriculum. This curriculum is published under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International license.
Minecraft game mechanics are incredibly analogous to engineering. Our programs focus on teaching problem solving and programming techniques through Minecraft, Lua, and Java.
Our curriculum is organized into a core curriculum called sequences, which allow for a logical progression through increasingly complex concepts. There are also additional units outside of the core sequences.
Learn the basics of survival in the Minecraft world, from fending off starvation to defending against skeletons. Solve these problems and more in a fun environment, with help from our instructors. Overcome the challenges that Minecraft has to offer, and have fun doing it. Improve building skills with creative tips and tricks. For ages 6-12.
Learn the basics of electricity, with in game and real world applications. We’ll go over digital circuits, like those found in smartphones and tablets, and how to use them in the Minecraft world to build yourself awesome contraptions. At the advanced level, we’ll go over what binary really is, and how to design binary logic machines with Redstone! For ages 8-14 or younger when having completed Sequence 1 or with equivalent experience.
Use the Minecraft mod ComputerCraft to learn the basics of programming and then apply those skills via your own in-game robots. These robots can do anything, from build you a house to find and mine diamonds for you. The only limit is your ability to direct them. At the advanced level, we’ll discuss the limitations of computers and how to work around them. For ages 8-14 or younger when having completed Sequence 2 or with equivalent experience.
Learn the basics of Java, the most common programming language in the world, and use them to create your own modification of Minecraft. Add any item of your design to the game, expanding Minecraft in whatever direction you desire. At the end, you’ll understand the syntax and applications of Java, and how they apply to Minecraft. For ages 10-16 or younger when having completed Sequence 3 or with equivalent experience.
Start with the basics of aesthetic and functional design and learn how to incorporate architectural concepts like flow, movement, and negative space into your builds. Design and then create structures ranging from houses to bridges and aqueducts. Finish by taking ideas from multiple sources and combining them into your own unique structure. For ages 8-16.
TBD
Contributions, corrections and improvements to this curriculum are welcome! If you are not familiar with how to contribute to a project on GitHub, check out this guide.