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:
Are dolphins really more similar to cows than they are to fish? How did we discover horses are good for riding? To fully understand an animal’s nature, we need to explore their connection to the big picture and in this camp we will do just that. 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!

You will discover the very essence of what makes the creatures you see in Minecraft so special and how they relate to us in real life. As you learn about how species like the pufferfish safely adapt to their ecosystem, you will also apply that knowledge to create the perfect environment for different animals. 

Over the course of two months, you will:

— Discover the unique qualities of different animals from farm and domesticated animals to wild and marine animals!
— Learn the different connections animals have in an ecosystem and how they influence each other’s life cycle.
— Explore the history of evolution and how species adapt to their environment through genetic changes, natural selection, and artificial selection.
— Experiment with Minecraft breeding to explore the influence humans have on the evolution of domesticated animals.
— Restore a Minecraft zoo to understand the importance of sustainability and our role in preserving our natural world.

Through zoology, you will grow to understand more about the world around you and what makes life possible through simple concepts like the food chain. The things you’ll learn will give you a special power to identify with the Minecraft creatures you encounter to better understand their life cycles and needs. What you take from this course is very real and will give you a headstart in learning about how your interactions with the environment can provide a better world for us all!

PARENTS: 
Zoology is more than just the study of animals and their behaviors. This is a course that gives students the power to view life science through a holistic lens and gain a deep understanding of human impact on ecology. By engaging in fun, interactive group building, your child will have the opportunity to explore the evolution and ecosystems of the cool animals already introduced in a game they love.

This is an 8-session course that lasts two months. We balance group discussion time with plenty of hands-on experience with other students. This way, students can cement what they’re learning and fully explore the topics they're interested in. By combining Minecraft with education, your child will be able to engage their passions as they have fun 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.