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Can Minecraft Be Educational? You Bet It Can!

With summer fast approaching, it’s always nice to have activities planned for the kids to keep them productive (and to keep them from whining that they have nothing to do).  There is a great new book out that could provide your kids with hours of fun and education!  And, it involves Minecraft, the wildly popular computer game that involves building and surviving. It’s called “The Unofficial Minecraft STEM Lab For Kids” (released May 1, 2018), by John Miller and Chris Scott.

Minecraft 1

This book is amazing on so many levels. It really knows how to draw the kids into it and capture their interest. The book walks the reader through fascinating labs that you can do in Minecraft, thereby utilizing the computerized world as an educational platform.  But, then it also has really cool labs to do in the real world. According to the back of the book, “You’ll find a collection of 48 creative and engaging projects that make learning science, technology, engineering and math entertaining for the whole family.”

Minecraft Labs and Real-Life Labs For Education And Fun

The book has 6 Quests that include labs involving in-game activities and hands-on activities. Some examples of what the book provides for labs in the real world include making a solar telescope, constructing a roller coaster, making some “glowing goo,” making crystals, collecting clouds, creating a wave pool, building a battery and much more. In terms of the labs in the Minecraft world, the book teaches you how to build an exploding volcano, how to create a fireworks show, and how to make a musical note doorbell (to name just a few). I had no idea such things were possible in Minecraft.

There are also several sections that provide interesting educational tidbits under “What’s The Science?” The book also encourages further research under “Find It Online.”  It also encourages further challenges under “Go Beyond,” “Sketchnote Challenge,” and “Now Try This.”

About The Authors And Where To Buy The Book

John Miller is a teacher with 24 years of experience. He has an MA in Educational Technology. He’s a Minecraft Global Mentor and Google Innovator. He’s a co-author of the “Unofficial Minecraft Lab for Kids” (an Amazon Best Kids’ Books of 2016 pick). He is also a contributing author of “Minecraft in the Classroom.”

Chris Scott founded and is the executive director of Woven Learning and Technology, which is a nonprofit that runs Minecraft Camps. He has a life goal of inspiring kids “to dream big” (p. 141). He’s also a co-author of the “Unofficial Minecraft Lab for Kids.”

The “Unofficial Minecraft STEM Lab For Kids” is available on Amazon in Flexibound format for $20.25, and it will be available in Kindle format on May 8th, 2018, for $17.21. Prices are subject to change.

I highly recommend this book. It was educational for me and I can’t wait to make the solar telescope!

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