Coding Course in Minecraft: Command Robots With Lua Scripting (8-Session)
Venture into the world of computer programming by exploring the logic behind code and designing robots to solve Minecraft challenges (Minecraft Java Edition for PC / Mac Only. NO iPad or Tablet).
Connected Camps
Average rating:
4.7
Number of reviews:(4,018)
Popular
What's included
8 live meetings
12 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
PLATFORM: (Minecraft Java Edition for PC / Non-M1 Mac Only! Not compatible with M1 Chip Macs, Ipads, Kindles, Tablets, Phones, and Game Consoles) SKILL LEVEL: This program is meant for Intermediate level players. This program requires Advanced reading comprehension, Moderate proficiency with computers, and some prior experience with Minecraft. Additionally, campers will need typing and hotkey proficiency, along with basic arithmetic skills. PROGRAM OVERVIEW: Like real machines, the robots we add to Minecraft can be used to accomplish normally impossible tasks in Minecraft and enhance your play. In this course, you’ll learn how to create these dynamic robots and code them to do your bidding. 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! To communicate and control robots in the game, you’ll need to master the basics of a lightweight programming language called Lua. You’ll also learn how to think like a programmer so you can craft these machines to solve Minecraft problems. Over the course of 2 months, you will: — Design Minecraft robots that can travel, build, and farm for you. — Discover the power of Lua and use it to take control of your robot helpers. — Adopt the mindset of a programmer and learn how to approach Minecraft problems to find answers. — Solve in-game challenges by coding with variables, conditions, and loops. At the start of each day, we’ll introduce a new challenge and coding concept for you to learn and explore. After the initial discussion, we’ll jump right into coding and you’ll get to customize your own robots to solve different challenges. As each class comes to an end, we’ll reflect on what we’ve learned and tour each other’s unique creations. These robots are also accessible after class so you can continue to use them when playing with your friends. PARENTS: In this course, students will learn the basic syntax of the Lua programming language and build problem-solving Minecraft machines. Not only will your child learn how to code, but they will also learn how to tackle challenges from a programmer’s perspective. We provide a constructive and safe space for students to learn and apply the same concepts that real life programmers use to automate processes. This is an 8-session course that balances discussion time with plenty of hands-on experience. 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. Your child will also have access to the ComputerCraft mod after the course ends so they can continue to play with robots in Minecraft.
Learning Goals
— Day 1 - Set Up and Movement: Our primary goal for this day is to assist students in setting up Minecraft and to familiarize kids to our course’s objectives. Students will discover the basics of coding syntax and its process. We introduce them to how programmers think and how they can use ComputerCraft in Minecraft. Our campers will learn how to code their robots to break objects and move through a maze.
— Day 2 - Text-based Coding: Students will transition to use text-based code that will maneuver their robots and place blocks to form alphabets in Minecraft.
— Day 3 - Mathematics and Variables: After introducing the concept of programs and computers in ComputerCraft, students will put their programming skills to the test and solve basic math problems using variable inputs.
— Day 4 - Conditionals & Logic I: Students will program a chat box program with if / then statements and integrate it into their robots. These interactive robots can ask questions and respond back to players.
— Day 5 - Conditionals & Logic II: This will be a continuation on the use of conditions and logic; students will use if/then statements to make their programs respond differently depending on the user's input.
— Day 6 - Fun with Loops I: With an introduction to loops, students will discover its relevance to real world programming and what it can be used for. Students will use “while loops” to make their robots dance continuously and also solve mazes on their own.
— Day 7 - Fun with Loops II: “For loops” can only cycle a command for a set amount of times. Using “for loops”, students will create robots that can independently build a bridge and dig a 2x2 whole through a wall.
— Day 8 - Fun with Loops III: Finally, students will discover “nested loops”. They will then code a robot that builds a house and cuts down trees through various uses of different loops they’ve learned from this course.
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 1.12.2. 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
4018reviews
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
$275
for 8 classes1x per week, 8 weeks
90 min
Completed by 47 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 10-14
3-8 learners per class
