NOTE:  For Fall/Winter classes, there will be no sessions held on November 28-29, December 23-25, or December 31-January 1.
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Beginner Modding Class-- This is part 1 in my Creating Minecraft Mods path.  This class introduces students to creating Minecraft mods using a block language. The coding blocks help students learn important concepts that can prepare them for more advanced coding languages and mods in the future.  

Future-Ready Skills-- Create2Discover classes integrate future-ready skills into the curriculum to help prepare students for a rapid-changing future.  This class includes a problem solving technique called computational thinking that helps students break down problems, look for patterns, use abstraction, and create an algorithm to solve the problem.
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Students in this class learn to use coding to make fundamental changes to what is possible in Minecraft.  They learn how to create custom blocks, tools/weapons, and NPCs (Mobs)  Students are also introduced to important programming concepts.  Additionally, students will be taught a problem solving strategy called computational thinking to improve their ability to solve coding challenges given in the class.

In this class, students will learn to…
-Use a drag and drop programming language called Blockly. Blockly is a great way to set students up for more advanced programming.
-Organize commands and directions into functions.
-Give special abilities to weapons in Minecraft.
-Create new items in Minecraft (blocks, tools, NPCs).
-Customize AI of NPCs (Mobs) they create.
-Create their own textures to give a custom look to new items.
-Create amazing Mods using programming loops, logic (IF/THEN), and more!
-Define variables in coding and use them in code.
-Apply computational thinking to solve coding challenges.

Technology/Software Requirements

Minecraft
A Minecraft (PC/MAC-Java Edition) is required for this program.  See below.
-Minecraft-- https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/store/minecraft-java-edition/
-Other editions of Minecraft (like Windows 10 and Pocket Edition) will not work with the class.
-You must have a PC or Mac to run this edition of Minecraft.  It will not work on a ChromeBook or tablet.
-Note For Mac Users: The Minecraft website only lists Java Edition for PC.  This is a result of Mojang bundling Java Edition and Bedrock Edition together.  Bedrock edition does not work on the Mac, but you can still purchase Minecraft and Java edition will work on your Mac.  We don't need Bedrock edition for class.

MCreator
Important Note: MCreator is a free open source program and is partly supported by ads on its website.  MCreator should be downloaded and installed under parent supervision to avoid clicking on ads on the website.  Please follow the directions you receive after registration that will guide you through download and install.  There are no ads inside the software after it is downloaded and installed.  Don’t hesitate to reach out for help and support in doing this. 

Blockbench
Students use a free program called Blockbench (a 3D model editor) to create a custom texture for an NPC (Mob).  https://www.blockbench.net/