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Minecraft - Sustainability - 8 lesson program

 

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Lesson 1: Introduction to Minecraft and Sustainability

Outcomes:

NSW: SC4-WS-01, SC4-WS-02, SC4-WS-07, SC4-WS-08, SC4-OTU-01, TE4-SDP-01, TE4-PPM-01, TE4-DES-01, TE4-DIG-01

Aus: ACTDIP028, ACTDIP031, ACTDIP032, ACSSU115, ACSSU116, ACSIS125, ACSIS126, ACSIS141

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​Objective: Students will explore Minecraft's tools and controls while learning the basics of sustainability concepts.

  1. Introduction (10 minutes)

  • Brief discussion on the solar system’s components. Show a short video or image of planets.
     

  2. Main Activity (30 minutes)

  • Students use Minecraft to create a model of the solar system. Each student/group creates one celestial body.

  • Guide students to focus on scale and features (e.g., rings of Saturn, moons of Jupiter).

  • Use in-game resources and blocks to distinguish features.
     

  3. Conclusion (5 minutes)

  • Groups present their celestial bodies and explain their choices.
     

 

Lesson 2: Understanding Orbits and Gravity

Outcomes:

NSW: SC4-WS-01, SC4-WS-02, SC4-WS-07, SC4-WS-08, SC4-OTU-01, TE4-SDP-01, TE4-PPM-01, TE4-DES-01, TE4-DIG-01

Aus: ACTDIP028, ACTDIP031, ACTDIP032, ACSSU115, ACSSU116, ACSIS125, ACSIS126, ACSIS141

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Objective: Students will simulate orbital motion and understand the role of gravity.

  1. Introduction (10 minutes)

  • Discuss gravity and its role in orbital motion.

 

  2. Main Activity (30 minutes)

  • Students create a simulation in Minecraft where planets orbit a central sun. Use redstone circuits or rails to mimic motion.

  • Encourage experimentation with distances and speeds.
     

  3. Conclusion (5 minutes)

  • Reflect on how gravity and distance affect orbital paths.
     

 

Lesson 3: Phases of the Moon

Outcomes:

NSW: SC4-WS-01, SC4-WS-02, SC4-WS-07, SC4-WS-08, SC4-OTU-01, TE4-SDP-01, TE4-PPM-01, TE4-DES-01, TE4-DIG-01

Aus: ACTDIP028, ACTDIP031, ACTDIP032, ACSSU115, ACSSU116, ACSIS125, ACSIS126, ACSIS141

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Objective: Students will recreate the phases of the moon using in-game mechanics.

  1. Introduction (5 minutes)

  • Explain moon phases with diagrams.
     

  2. Main Activity (35 minutes)

  • Students build a model demonstrating moon phases. Use blocks to represent light and shadow.

  • Encourage students to observe and replicate the transitions.
     

  3. Conclusion (5 minutes)

  • Groups share their models and discuss challenges faced.

     

Lesson 4: Space Exploration

Outcomes:

NSW: SC4-WS-01, SC4-WS-02, SC4-WS-07, SC4-WS-08, SC4-OTU-01, TE4-SDP-01, TE4-PPM-01, TE4-DES-01, TE4-DIG-01

Aus: ACTDIP028, ACTDIP031, ACTDIP032, ACSSU115, ACSSU116, ACSIS125, ACSIS126, ACSIS141

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Objective: Students will design and build a spacecraft in Minecraft.

  1. Introduction (5 minutes)

  • Discuss the history of space exploration and spacecraft components.

 

  2. Main Activity (30 minutes)

  • Students design and construct a spacecraft using Minecraft.

  • Include features like propulsion, communication, and habitation modules.
     

  3. Conclusion (10 minutes)

  • Students explain the functionality of their spacecraft designs.

     

Lesson 5: Colonising a New Planet

Outcomes:

NSW: SC4-WS-01, SC4-WS-02, SC4-WS-07, SC4-WS-08, SC4-OTU-01, TE4-SDP-01, TE4-PPM-01, TE4-DES-01, TE4-DIG-01

Aus: ACTDIP028, ACTDIP031, ACTDIP032, ACSSU115, ACSSU116, ACSIS125, ACSIS126, ACSIS141

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Objective: Students will design a sustainable colony on a new planet.

 1. Introduction (5 minutes)

  • Discuss challenges and needs for colonisation (e.g., oxygen, food, shelter).
     

  2. Main Activity (30 minutes)

  • Students build a colony with sustainable systems (e.g., farms, water recycling).

  • Provide scenarios for planet conditions (e.g., extreme cold, low gravity).
     

  3. Conclusion (10 minutes)​

  • Groups present their colonies and explain their sustainability features.

     

Lesson 6: Astronomical Events

Outcomes:

NSW: SC4-WS-01, SC4-WS-02, SC4-WS-07, SC4-WS-08, SC4-OTU-01, TE4-SDP-01, TE4-PPM-01, TE4-DES-01, TE4-DIG-01

Aus: ACTDIP028, ACTDIP031, ACTDIP032, ACSSU115, ACSSU116, ACSIS125, ACSIS126, ACSIS141

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Objective: Students will simulate astronomical events, such as eclipses and meteor showers, in Minecraft.

  1. Introduction (5 minutes)

  • Explain types of astronomical events with visuals.
     

  2. Main Activity (30 minutes)

  • Students create in-game simulations.

  • For eclipses, use blocks and lighting effects. For meteor showers, use fireworks or TNT.
     

  3. Conclusion (10 minutes)​

  • Students showcase their events and describe their scientific basis.

     

Lesson 7: Space Missions and Technology

Outcomes:

NSW: SC4-WS-01, SC4-WS-02, SC4-WS-07, SC4-WS-08, SC4-OTU-01, TE4-SDP-01, TE4-PPM-01, TE4-DES-01, TE4-DIG-01

Aus: ACTDIP028, ACTDIP031, ACTDIP032, ACSSU115, ACSSU116, ACSIS125, ACSIS126, ACSIS141

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Objective: Students will research and build a replica of a famous space mission or technology in Minecraft.

  1. Introduction (5 minutes)

  • Discuss significant space missions (e.g., Apollo 11, Mars rovers).
     

  2. Main Activity (30 minutes)

  • Students choose a mission or technology to recreate in Minecraft.

  • Include key features and mission purposes.
     

  3. Conclusion (10 minutes)​

  • Groups present their replicas and explain their importance.

     

Lesson 8: Space Challenges and Future Exploration

Outcomes:

NSW: SC4-WS-01, SC4-WS-02, SC4-WS-07, SC4-WS-08, SC4-OTU-01, TE4-SDP-01, TE4-PPM-01, TE4-DES-01, TE4-DIG-01

Aus: ACTDIP028, ACTDIP031, ACTDIP032, ACSSU115, ACSSU116, ACSIS125, ACSIS126, ACSIS141

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Objective: Students will design and pitch a solution to a space challenge using Minecraft.

  1. Introduction (5 minutes)

  • Discuss current challenges in space exploration (e.g., radiation, food supply).
     

  2. Main Activity (35 minutes)

  • Students propose and build a solution (e.g., radiation shields, hydroponic systems).

  • Use Minecraft to create a visual representation of their solution.
     

  3. Conclusion (5 minutes)​

  • Students pitch their ideas to the class.

  • Provide feedback on their ideas and review any important takeaways.

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