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.