ROM Minecraft

Welcome to the ROM Minecraft Guided Program. Spring registration is now closed. Registration for Fall 2023 will open in August. Check back then for instructions!

  • This program covers math (coding) and science expectations for the Grade 4 Ontario Curriculum.
  • Teachers must watch the info session to participate the Guided program.
  • Instructions on how to apply for a space in the program will be provided during the info session.
  • There are a fixed number of spaces in the Fall and Spring sessions, but we do maintain a waiting list.
  • If you cannot attend live, be sure to register for the session anyway. All registrants will be sent a link to the recording.
  • The Spring Session is open from January to June. Phase 1 must be completed before March Break, and Phase 2 must be completed before the end of the school year.

The Independent Program is available now in the Minecraft Lesson Library.

 

Minecraft: Education Edition is a game-based learning platform that promotes creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving in an immersive digital environment. For several years, the ROM has invited students onto its pilot Minecraft server to build meaningful, personalized learning across a wide variety of themes including science, resource use, community, cultural respect, and the cascading impacts of individual actions. We are very excited to introduce a new hybrid learning Minecraft program that can be run from your own classroom!

The ROM Minecraft program is designed to support curriculum expectations from the Coding strand of the Ontario Mathematics Curriculum. The Museum Math: Rocks and Minerals program also supports expectations from the Grade 4 Rocks and Minerals strand of the Ontario Science Curriculum. Virtual visits are coordinated with a ROM Educator at key progress points during the program, but the downloadable map and flexibility of Minecraft: Education Edition allows you to and your students to complete the in-game work according to your own classroom schedule.

Future ROM Minecraft programs and co-taught lessons will be developed to cover additional subject areas. Sign up for the ROM Learning eNewsletter to be notified of new programs.

A Minecraft screenshot of a dinosaur dig site with exposed dinosaur fossil, tents, truck with crates, and a holographic recreation of an ankylosaur.

Programs

Museum Math: Rocks and Minerals

Students will begin their journey in the Royal Ontario Museum’s research centre in the fictional world of Rocklandia. From there, they will travel to three different research sites to help ROM scientists with their studies of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks.

Along the way, students will encounter challenges blocking their path that they will need to code their way through with the assistance of Indigenous scientists and the Minecraft agent. After visiting all three research sites, students will return to the research centre and build their own museum to share their learning about rocks and minerals.

This program is designed for students to complete independently or in pairs. You will need to provide your own class devices.

Program Structure:

  • Synchronous or Asynchronous Teacher Info Session Webinar. (1 hour)
  • (Optional) Synchronous or Asynchronous Teacher Minecraft 101 Training Webinar (1.5 hours)
  • (Optional) Synchronous or Asynchronous Teacher Coding Camp (1-1.5 hours)
  • Virtual Visit #1 with a ROM educator for program introduction. (45 minutes)
  • Independent class time to travel to each research site and complete coding challenges and collection missions. (Approximately 8 class periods*)
  • Virtual Visit #2 with a ROM educator to answer content questions about rocks and minerals or coding in preparation for museum build. (45 minutes)
  • Independent class time for students to plan and build their own museums to show their math and science learning (Approximately 6 class periods*)
  • Flipgrid museum tours with ROM educator as co-pilot for feedback (Asynchronous, on your own schedule)
  • Final polishing of the museum builds. (Approximately 2 class periods*)

*Average estimate. Time requirements may vary according to classroom Minecraft and coding experience.

A Minecraft screenshot of a path leading across a rural landscape toward a large volcano with lava pouring down the side.

Interested in ROM Minecraft for your class?

There is no cost to participate in the program. Registration for the Spring 2023 info session is now open. You must attend the info session in order to apply for the program. The Independent version of the program can be run autonomously in your classroom, but does not have the option of support from a ROM Educator. The Independent Program is available in the Minecraft Lesson Library.

You can also visit The Science of Minecraft to learn about the science behind Minecraft and try a mini-activity if you don't want to participate in the full program. 

For more information, please contact ROM Learning and be sure to include Minecraft in the subject line. (romlearning@rom.on.ca).

A Minecraft screenshot of an in-game guide standing next to the coding agent. Chalkboards in the background outline steps to creating a code to summon the agent, and indicate that the viewer is facing west.

Learn More

Visit the ROM Minecraft Wakelet to learn more about the historical use of Minecraft at the ROM, and to see the current experiences of the pilot classes. Visit the current School Programs Wakelet to see the experiences of classes in progress.

ROM Minecraft is generously supported by the Barrick Gold Corporation.

Authored by: Kait Sykes

Authored by: Kait Sykes