9 Reasons to Use Minecraft to Level Up Elementary STEAM Education

"First we mine, then we craft!" In this session, you’ll experience firsthand the incredible STEAM learning opportunities available in this sandbox gaming platform. Minecraft Education provides an avenue for students to explore virtual worlds and design various creative products, from beautiful buildings to pixel art to complex powered machines. In this session, we'll explore 9 reasons why Minecraft Education might just be the accessible and highly engaging platform your elementary students need to get excited about STEAM learning. At Mi Escuela Montessori, first to fifth graders have been learning about biomes, coordinates, coding concepts, electricity, cause and effect, design, and more… all while having fun! Through Minecraft classroom activities, an afterschool club, and even Spanish immersion summer camps, these students are stretching themselves and finding they do belong in STEAM fields. Join this session to hear some of their learning stories, which will certainly inspire you to empower your own students as well. You’ll learn about basic Minecraft capabilities, how to get started, and where to access a variety of tutorial and lesson resources. Plus, you’ll finally understand the answer to the age old question, “What happens when you mix hot lava and chicken?”