For youth curious about what Earth would be like without a moon or enjoy exploring unique worlds in Minecraft, the 91±¬ÁÏ Versant Power Astronomy Center and Jordan Planetarium is offering a camp for kids that promotes science and learning by exploring “What-if” Hypothetical Implementations in Minecraft.
The camp is during spring break, April 15-19, with two time options from 9 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m​. for participants to investigat​e distant worlds and appl​y building skills in Minecraft Java Edition.
​Participants will play the role of scientists or engineers as they work through creative and critical thinking design prompts t​hat examine exoplanet environments and​ teach basic computer programming. ​A variety of STEM activities​ during the camps will include working with a team to build a research base on Mars, imagining and drawing exoplanets and comparing environments of distant worlds to Earth with measurements students take themselves.
The camp is part of a research study funded by the National Science Foundation and run in collaboration with 91±¬ÁÏ and the University of Illinois.
Enrollment is open and expected to reach full capacity. To sign up, visit. For additional information email bryce.roix@maine.edu.
