Unofficial Minecraft STEM Lab for Kids: Family-Friendly Projects for Exploring Concepts in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math

by John Miller, Chris Fornell Scott

Overview

Minecraft + STEM = An unstoppable force for fun and learning! In Unofficial Minecraft STEM Lab for Kids, you’ll find a collection of 48 creative, collaborative projects that make learning science, technology, engineering, and math exciting for the whole family. Venture off on six action-packed Quests, each with four unique Labs that pair a hands-on activity with an in-game project.

Just a few of the exciting things you’ll create and learn about:
 Hands-on activities: 

• Concoct glow-in-the-dark slime
• Grow pipe cleaner snowflakes
• Design and build a model Martian habitat
• Mix milk and soap to create “fireworks”
• Make a working volcano
• Create an electromagnet

In-game projects:

• Craft a laboratory to serve as your in-game headquarters
• Carve a crystal ice castle
• Construct a working dam
• Design and use a custom teleporter
• Build an underwater oceanographic field station

Start with a lesson on terminology and gameplay, learn how to document Lab activities with sketchnoting, and meet five leading Minecraft experts who share how their experiences with the game have contributed to their success.
 
The popular Lab for Kids series features a growing list of books that share hands-on activities and projects on a wide host of topics, including art, astronomy, clay, geology, math, and even how to create your own circus—all authored by established experts in their fields. Each lab contains a complete materials list, clear step-by-step photographs of the process, as well as finished samples. The labs can be used as singular projects or as part of a yearlong curriculum of experiential learning. The activities are open-ended, designed to be explored over and over, often with different results. Geared toward being taught or guided by adults, they are enriching for a range of ages and skill levels. Gain firsthand knowledge on your favorite topic with Lab for Kids.
 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781631594830
Publisher:	Quarry Books
Publication date:	05/01/2018
Series:	Lab for Kids Series , #16
Pages:	144
Sales rank:	270,984
Product dimensions:	8.50(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.70(d)
Age Range:	7 - 10 Years

About the Author

John Miller is an instructional coach and former middle school science and history teacher with 30 years’ experience. He holds a master’s degree in educational technology and instructional design from San Diego State University. He has been recognized as a Google Innovator, Microsoft curriculum developer, Minecraft Education lesson designer, and as a finalist for California Teacher of the Year. In 2017, John was granted a Fulbright Teaching Award, which provided an opportunity for him to work with the Ministry of Education in Singapore to explore the effectiveness of game-based learning in the classroom. He is the co-author of Unofficial Minecraft Lab for Kids and Unofficial Minecraft STEM Lab for Kids. John lives in Paso Robles, California.

Chris Fornell Scott is the executive director of Woven Learning and Technology, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers engaging, hands-on workshops for underserved youth. Passionate about empowering young minds, Chris is dedicated to inspiring a love for learning and providing opportunities for kids from diverse backgrounds. Outside of his professional role, Chris is a loving husband and proud father of three teenage boys. He loves the ocean and is always eager to learn new things, continually seeking ways to grow and expand his horizons. He is the co-author of Unofficial Minecraft Lab for Kids and Unofficial Minecraft STEM Lab for Kids. He lives in Tustin, California.

Editorial Reviews

Perfect for memorable family nights or sensational classroom fun, guided quests and labs encourage creative thinking and collaborative communication with dozens of activities designed to engage children, teens, and adults, both on- and offline.—Foreword Reviews, starred review

One of the main things that I like about this book is that each of the six chapters begins with an activity that is completed without the use of a digital device. Next come related activities in the creative mode of Minecraft. [...] Recommended.—School Library Connection

This is a great book for encouraging Minecraft-obsessed kids to try something different in the game and getting them involved in STEM in the real-world too.—GeekMom

The book is simply amazing, and teachers will find a chart in the back of the book with how each project relates to Classroom Standards. But parents and camp instructors (like me) are going to find this book an invaluable resource for using Minecraft to teach (or sneak in) some real-world projects and hands-on activities.—GeekDad

This is so cool! This [book has] hands on activities (not touching the screen) to make science connections to Minecraft.—Teacher Tech with Alice Keeler

If you have multiple Minecraft lovers in your household, it should be able to withstand several read-throughs.—Christ Centered Gamer

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.—KellysThoughtsOnThings.com

From the Publisher