Cell Biology Course in Minecraft: Discover Life’s Building Blocks (5-Session)
Plunge beneath the surface and explore in Minecraft how cells function and interact with each other as the building block to all living things (Minecraft Java Edition for PC / Mac Only. NO iPad or Tablet).
Connected Camps
Average rating:
4.7
Number of reviews:(4,017)
Popular
What's included
5 live meetings
7 hrs 30 mins in-class hoursHomework
This class does not require any out-of-class work. We do offer optional challenges that students can work on as an extension of what is taught in class. We provide guidance and instructions for students who are inspired to delve deeper into the topic. The purpose of these challenges is to give students the opportunity to supplement their learning with additional material that aligns with their passions and goals. Students may then integrate their learnings into their project and showcase their accomplishments to their classmates. With this approach, students can explore the subject on their own. We give students the opportunity to share what they’ve explored independently with the class.Assessment
At Connected Camps, we assess each student’s progress by engaging them in reflection of their own work and the work of their classmates. By building in Minecraft and applying concepts taught in class, our students are able to solidify their learnings through hands-on application. Our counselors’ focus is to provide qualitative feedback to further each students’ individual goals and interests, and we do not use letter or number grades. In addition to our in-class reflections, our counselors also provide post-session recaps that offer a summary of what is accomplished each day. Through these summary reflections, students are able to review the material and share with their parents what they did in class. We find this approach allows kids of different interests and abilities to engage with our teachings in a way that is particularly relevant to them.Grading
includedClass Experience
US Grade 5 - 8
PLATFORM: (Minecraft Java Edition for PC / Mac Only! Not compatible with Ipads, Kindles, Tablets, Phones, and Game Consoles) SKILL LEVEL: This program is meant for Basic level players. This program requires Moderate reading comprehension, Basic proficiency with computers, and no prior experience with Minecraft. PROGRAM OVERVIEW: Like Minecraft, most things in this world are made from basic building blocks. While our homes are constructed out of wood and concrete, we are a combination of bones, organs, and many other organic matter. Should we look deeper into humans, we’ll discover we all have trillions of cells… and these cells are actual living things! Like all Connected Camps programs, this class offers a project-based, exploratory classroom environment that sits at the intersection of learning and playing. After all, kids learn the most when they're having fun! In this class, we’ll dive beneath the surface to show you what cells do and how they keep us alive. Different cells have unique and specialized tasks and through Minecraft, you will discover how animal and plant cells function and differ from each other. Over the course of 5 sessions, you will: - Uncover the basic composition of a cell and what a single prokaryotic cell looks like. - Compare the differences between plant and animal cells and identify what unique features each type of cell has. - Learn how cells store information, duplicate, and transfer nutrients among each other. - Explore the many ways cell components and cells interact with each other in Minecraft group activities. Just like how Minecraft blocks work together to create masterpieces, cells work together at a microscopic level to create all living things. As we guide you through cell models and activities in Minecraft, you’ll also get to engage in explorative group discussions with others. By the end of this course, you’ll have a better understanding of life’s building blocks and why there’s so much life within us! PARENTS: All complex life, including plants and animals, are made possible thanks to functioning multicellular organisms. Our virtual simulations and activities give students the opportunity to experience biology in Minecraft and how it shapes our world and everyday life. As students explore both single cell organisms and multicellular organisms they’ll engage in deep group discussions to solidify class learnings. This is a 5-session camp that balances discussion time with plenty of hands-on experience so students can cement what they’re learning and explore the topics they're interested in. We combine Minecraft with education so your child can engage their passions as they learn in a positive, interest-driven environment. Please note that we will be asking for your camper's in-game username so that we can add them to our server's safelist.
Learning Goals
— Day 1 - Introduction to Cells: We’ll start off by diving into the function of a cell and what cells look like! As the class progresses through the cell theory, we’ll take a tour in Minecraft through different cell models before building one of our own!
— Day 2 - Animal Cells: Energy makes it possible for cells to process and use special functions to keep themselves alive. We’ll explore what makes animal cells unique and their main organelles. To wrap up the session, the class will join on a group activity that demonstrates the way cells communicate.
— Day 3 - Plant Cells: These cells differ from Animal cells and we’ll discover in this class what ways they differ. In learning about plant cells, we will also review the key organelles and functions as well as how photosynthesis works. Afterwards, we will conduct a scavenger hunt to identify and collect materials necessary to produce photosynthesis in Minecraft!
— Day 4 - Nutrient Transport: How do cells stay alive? ATP plays a vital role in this by providing energy that drives most processes in cells. In this class, we will investigate how food provides energy and how the energy is distributed among cells. Through a Minecraft class activity, campers will get to experience the journey and struggles of nutrient transportation.
— Day 5 - How Cells Are Made: DNA exists within cells and cells are about to duplicate through mitosis! This final day is all about division and replication of cells through different phases of mitosis. We’ll explore the processes on a large-scale diagram in Minecraft and simulate mitosis with Minecraft slimes!
Other Details
Parental Guidance
Internet safety is a top priority for us and our goal is to create a safe, connected community of learners that is moderated by our instructors. Throughout our programs we strive to educate our learners on internet safety and best practices for connecting online.
In our programs, our learners are often making friendships and connections with others in class. While we encourage positive online friendships, we think it’s important to practice these principles of internet safety:
— Do NOT ask others to connect online outside of our programs without first confirming with your parents. Our programs are a safe, moderated space for learners to engage but we can’t moderate connections outside of our classes.
— Do NOT give away personal information which includes but is not limited to: your name, address, phone number, passwords, location, email address, and parental information.
— If an individual asks for personal information, you should inform a counselor or your parent for guidance.
———
Common Sense Media Resources for Parents:
https://www.commonsense.org/education/videos/keeping-games-fun-and-friendly
Keeping Games Fun and Friendly: learn how to keep your child's experiences positive and fun when communicating in online games with others.
https://www.commonsense.org/education/video/modal/4141366#
The Power of Words: help your child learn that words exchanged online are indeed powerful, and offer strategies to use when confronted with cyberbullying.
https://www.commonsense.org/education/videos/private-and-personal-information
Private and Personal Information: learn the difference between what personal things your child can safely share online and private information that should not be shared.
Supply List
A Minecraft Java Edition account must be purchased by the learner. Participants will receive access to the Connected Camps Minecraft Server where the program will be run. To access the server, each learner will need the Java edition of Minecraft and will need to set their version release to 1.15.2. Other Minecraft versions like the "Minecraft for Windows 10 version", console editions, and pocket editions for mobile devices will not work for this course. A pair of headphones and microphone are also needed for communication with the class.
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Not an official Minecraft product. Not approved or associated with Mojang.
Joined June, 2020
4.7
4017reviews
Popular
Teacher expertise and credentials
Connected Camps is a not-for-profit organization founded in 2015 with the mission to build a global online community where kids build, code, play, and learn alongside one another. Our programs are designed based on extensive research in the learning sciences. The founders and leaders of Connected Camps, Mimi Ito and Katie Salen, are professors at the University of California, Irvine, who specialize in the design of online learning experiences that are fun, social, and directly tied to academic outcomes. Learn more about the research behind Connected Camps at the Connected Learning Alliance resource site: https://clalliance.org/
One thing that makes our programs unique is our near-peer mentorship model. Our programs are led by young adults and college students, often with the help of high school volunteers. We hire counselors and coaches from top universities in computer science, game development, economics, social studies, and the arts, and train them on how to facilitate project-based learning with younger kids. Our young instructors have the same passion for technology, games, and digital making as our learners, and take on the role of instructors, as well as fellow enthusiasts and relatable role models.
The curriculum for this program was designed by a team of counselors pursuing degrees relevant to the material at hand. The learning experiences in this class are driven by these counselors’ academic expertise in the field, along with their desire to share their passion for the subject with a group of excited learners. All of Connected Camps’ curricula are vetted by the organization’s Product Manager, Matthew, who possesses a Masters in Secondary Education and a deep belief in the power of collaborative virtual learning.Reviews
Live Group Class
$105
for 5 classes1x per week, 5 weeks
90 min
Completed by 18 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 10-14
3-10 learners per class
This class is no longer offered
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