Beginner Coding Camp With Minecraft: Level 3 - The Basics of Programming

For this class, only Minecraft Java Edition (not the Bedrock edition) for PC or Mac is supported. It is not compatible with iPads, tablets, phones, Chromebook, or game consoles. Students must purchase the Java Edition of Minecraft for their personal computers; tablets, Chromebook or consoles will not suffice.

In this class, students will learn even more about the basics of programming in Minecraft! Students are required to have taken PDL Code Level 1 and Level 2 prior to enrolling.

Students will learn PDL Code, a language created by our company to work seamlessly with Minecraft and introduce the basics of coding. Using core elements from other popular languages such as Java or C++, PDL Code has its own console where students program outside of Minecraft to make things happen on our very own secure server. They can affect the game world or make their character move just by using code.

Unlike Level 1 and Level 2, this class is project-based, allowing students to show off their creativity and problem-solving skills! Each week has a different topic, so students can take the level multiple times. One week we might create a program that builds a house from scratch. Another we might create a text-based adventure game, or give ourselves superpowers! The possibilities are endless and each student has the opportunity to take their own approach with support from our teachers.

In addition to the basics of programming, students in this course will:
 - Use technology to accomplish goals
 - Learn to work in group settings
 - Accomplish goals using programming concepts
 - Problem-solve when bugs arise and learn to handle challenges graciously
 - Practice their math and logic skills
 - Develop an engineering mindset

Learning Goals
 Day 1. Review / Planning your program / Logs and Comments
 Day 2. Functions
 Day 3. Special Topic (specific to each theme)
 Day 4. Creating Accessible Text Controls / Special Topic (specific to each theme)
 Day 5. Finish your project and show it off!

The teacher will wait up to 15 minutes for students to arrive. If students do not show up within that time and haven’t provided advance notice, the session will not be rescheduled.