Minecraft Ecosystem Explorers
Description
Minecraft Ecosystem Explorers: Thursday
Grades: K-2
Time: 3:00-4:00 p.m.
Dates: 8/28-12/11
No class dates: 10/2, 11/27

Become a nature detective! Students explore different biomes within Minecraft, such as forests, deserts, and oceans. They'll learn about the plants and animals that live there, basic food chains, and simple environmental concepts like conservation, and will even build small animal habitats or gardens.

Weekly topics and projects include:

Week 1

Topic(s) Covered: Introduction to biomes, identifying basic biomes (Forest, Plains).

Simple Project: Explore a forest biome and identify 3 unique blocks or plants found there.

Week 2

Topic(s) Covered: Desert and Savanna biomes, adapting to dry environments.

Simple Project: Build a small, shaded shelter in a desert biome to protect from the sun.

Week 3

Topic(s) Covered: Ocean and River biomes, aquatic life.

Simple Project: Create an underwater observation deck or a small coral reef.

Week 4

Topic(s) Covered: Tundra/Taiga biomes, cold environments, different tree types.

Simple Project: Build a simple log cabin in a snowy biome using local resources.

Week 5

Topic(s) Covered: Basic food chains (producer, primary consumer).

Simple Project: Identify a simple food chain in Minecraft (e.g., grass → cow → player).

Week 6

Topic(s) Covered: Food chains (secondary consumer, decomposers).

Simple Project: Observe and record what a wolf (secondary consumer) hunts in Minecraft.

Week 7

Topic(s) Covered: Building animal habitats, meeting animal needs.

Simple Project: Design and build an enclosed pen for a specific farm animal (e.g., chickens, pigs) ensuring they have grass/water.

Week 8

Topic(s) Covered: Plant life cycles, basic farming.

Simple Project: Plant and grow a small patch of wheat, carrots, or potatoes.

Week 9

Topic(s) Covered: Resource management, responsible tree harvesting.

Simple Project: Harvest wood from a small forest and replant saplings to ensure sustainability.

Week 10

Topic(s) Covered: Water conservation and management in Minecraft.

Simple Project: Design a simple irrigation system for a small farm using water sources.

Week 11

Topic(s) Covered: Pollution awareness (e.g., lava, excessive mining without cleanup).

Simple Project: Identify an area of "pollution" in a Minecraft world (e.g., an uncontrolled lava flow) and discuss how to mitigate it.

Week 12

Topic(s) Covered: Exploring underground biomes (caves, lush caves).

Simple Project: Discover and explore a lush cave, identifying its unique plants and features.

Week 13

Topic(s) Covered: Creating a small ecosystem model.

Simple Project: Build a mini-biome in a confined space (e.g., a glass box) representing a small forest or desert.

Week 14

Topic(s) Covered: Biodiversity and protecting endangered species (in-game animals).

Simple Project: Create a "protected area" or sanctuary for a specific type of animal (e.g., pandas in a bamboo forest).

Instructor: 8Bit Education
Location:
Parish Episcopal School - Hillcrest Campus
Dates:
8/28/2025 - 12/11/2025 11:00 PM
Time:
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Ages:
Grades Kindergarten - 2nd
Cost:
$550.00
Availability:
This session has openings
Registration will end on 12/11/2025 at 11:00 PM.