Minecraft Used To Teach Children Molecular Chemistry
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Minecraft used to teach children molecular chemistry
Schools could use Minecraft, a virtual world-building game, to teach chemistry to their students. It is currently played by tens or millions of children all over the world.
A group of students from Hull University created an educational version of the game. It allows players to explore molecular structures created specifically for them and understand chemistry.
The goal is for young scientists to be engaged in a fun, interactive way.
Minecraft players use building blocks for landscapes and structure.
They are encouraged also to collect treasure and other items.
'Fiendishly difficult'
The students developed the project with the help of the university's Minecraft expert, Joel Mills, and senior lecturer in biological chemistry, Dr Mark Lorch.
Dr Lorch said that Minecraft is a fantastic tool for exploring structures and landscapes of buildings, as well anatomy.
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"So why not molecules?" We showed it to children the other day, and they gasped and wow'd.
"This just really grabs their attention. It's a new way to engage them, and it delivers information to their attention.
Students have created many other surprises for children to discover and explore, in addition to structures and molecules.
Dr Lorch said that "You can just look at the molecules and read the information." There are also tons and tons of treasure boxes scattered around, filled with puzzles, books, or other goodies.
"Some are easy, some are fiendishly challenging." You'll likely have learned quite a bit of chemistry if you can find them all.
Outreach
Dr Lorch has a responsibility to engage young people in science.
The Hull team is currently testing MolCraft in a number secondary schools in London as part university outreach projects.
It can be used in primary school to teach basic science concepts such as how atoms combine to form molecules.
It is also available in Minecraft's educational library. There are versions for both teachers and students.
This isn't a first time Minecraft has helped children to learn about scientific topics.
A world has been created to teach quantum physics. Many schools in Northern Ireland have adapted it to encourage creative writing and engage young people with city planning.
Unique Minecraft project for schools
25 March 2015
University of Hull
