Rube Goldberg Camp in Minecraft: Physics & Chain Reactions (5-Session)
Engineer and assemble a Rube Goldberg machine that is powered by pure physics and the chain reactions of Redstone gadgets and projectiles in Minecraft (Minecraft Java Edition for PC / Mac Only. NO iPad or Tablet).
Connected Camps
Average rating:
4.7
Number of reviews:(4,018)
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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
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 Intermediate level players. This program requires Basic reading comprehension, Moderate proficiency with computers, and some prior experience with Minecraft. We recommend that you take our Engineering Camp in Minecraft before taking this program to ensure that you have the best experience possible. PROGRAM OVERVIEW: In the world of physics, a small movement can lead to a series of chain reactions under the proper conditions and set up. A light tap of a rolling marble can lead to a push of a domino which tugs on a pulley that lights up a desk lamp. 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! A device in which a series of chain reactions completes a simple task is called a Rube Goldberg machine and in this class, you’ll create one in Minecraft! We’ll explore how Minecraft physics affects our builds and dive deep into the ways carts, projectiles, and Redstone circuits interact with each other. Over the course of 5 sessions, you will: - Design, prototype, and debug a one-of-a-kind Rube Goldberg machine in Minecraft. - Create a domino effect by using simple machines and projectiles to shift the action into the next area. - Experiment with Redstone circuitry and Minecraft projectiles in iteration cycles to apply to the final build. - Discover what can be improved with each machine error and what we can do to strengthen future builds. Behind every successful Rube Goldberg machine is an engineer who can tweak and create contraptions that adheres to the laws of physics! We’ll uncover the fundamentals of Redstone, moving projectiles, and blocks before we retrofit them into our machines. As we explore our options through group discussions, you’ll also learn basic physics concepts like how acceleration relates to velocity and gravity. By the end of this class, you will get to share your epic invention with others and witness the ingenuity of your peers’ creations! PARENTS: A Rube Goldberg machine is a STEM-based project that gives kids the opportunity to explore their creativity with logic-based engineering. Through iterations of experimentations and group discussions, students will combine pressure plates, Redstone circuits, and other mechanisms to develop a machine that relies on kinetic energy. Unlike traditional lessons, your child will have the opportunity to explore many of these concepts through the 3D world of Minecraft. 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 The Machine and Redstone: What exactly is a Rube Goldberg machine? After we learn about the objectives and functions of a Rube Goldberg machine, we’ll explore in what ways Redstone circuitry can aid us in the creation of the machine.
Day 2 - Redstone Circuits and Iteration Cycles: As we dive deeper into more Redstone builds, students will prototype their work and use iteration cycles. While working on our personal machines, we’ll design, test, reflect, and debug versions of the machine before we implement it into the final design.
Day 3 - Simple Machines: How can we get our builds to interact with simple machines? In Minecraft, these simple machines include minecarts and we’ll incorporate these into our designs to keep the build running from one area to the next.
Day 4 - Minecraft Physics and Projectiles: It’s time to finally incorporate flying objects and other “physics enabled items” into our builds like Falling Blocks, Arrows, and Anvils! By applying real-world knowledge of gravity and projectile motion, we can predict the trajectory of airborne objects and apply it to our Rube Goldberg machine.
Day 5 - Final Presentations: This is the demonstration day! We’ll finally get to see what each person in the class has designed for their machine! It is likely that each machine may come with some trials and errors and that is completely fine. We’ll go over how one can improve upon these hiccups through prototypes and iterations to get them to work next time.
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.
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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
4018reviews
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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
$135
for 5 classes5x per week, 1 week
90 min
Completed by 108 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 10-14
3-10 learners per class
