US Department of Education Grants Funding for Minecraft Coding Program
The US Department of Education has approved funding to support a program that will teach coding and computer science using Minecraft, benefiting thousands of middle schoolers. The grant aims to provide access to computer science education for underrepresented children in New York and California, with a focus on game-based learning through Minecraft Education.
Introduction
The US Department of Education has taken a significant step in advancing computer science education by allocating funding for a pioneering program that integrates Minecraft into the curriculum. This initiative is set to revolutionize the way middle school students learn coding and computer science, offering a unique and engaging approach to STEM education.
minecraft classroom with chalkboard
Minecraft, the popular sandbox game developed by Mojang, has been a longstanding tool for educational purposes. Its educational version, Minecraft Education, is tailored for classroom use and provides free lesson plans and resources for educators. The game has been utilized to offer specialized content, including lessons on women's suffrage and the work of prominent activists such as Emmeline Pankhurst and Malala Yousafzai.
Grant Allocation and Program Overview
The US Department of Education, specifically through its Education Innovation and Research program, has allocated a substantial $4 million grant to the national nonprofit organization Urban Arts. This funding will support the 'Creative Coders: Middle School CS Pathways Through Game Design' program, aimed at teaching coding and computer science to 3,450 underrepresented children in the 6th through 8th grades in New York and California.
The grant seeks to address the lack of access to computer science education for underprivileged students, with a focus on promoting academic achievement, improved attendance, and increased interest in school. The 'Creative Coders' program, which utilizes Minecraft Education, serves as an extension of a successful high school program developed by Urban Arts, demonstrating the potential for game-based learning to enhance STEM education at the middle school level.
Minecraft Education and STEM Learning
Minecraft Education's effectiveness as a tool for teaching coding, computer science, and other STEM disciplines has been evident since its beta launch in 2016. Notable projects, such as 'Escape Estate' and 'Generation AI' by Hours of Code, have utilized Minecraft Education to engage students in learning coding fundamentals and responsible uses of AI.
Additionally, Minecraft Education offers cybersecurity lessons, a math game developed by Cambridge Mathematics, and collaborative projects with organizations like BBC Earth to create immersive learning experiences related to natural history. These initiatives demonstrate the versatility of Minecraft Education in providing interactive and educational content across various STEM disciplines.
