Minecraft: The STEM & Sustainable Practices of the First Nations People of Victoria

Students explore caring for 'land and country' through traditional resource collection and sustainable thinking. They explore the impacts of first contact on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and land following the arrival of Europeans and their animals. Students investigate the impact this has had on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples' ability to continue their traditional practices and how they were able to endure, adapt and survive when faced with colonial settlement. Aboriginal culture has continued to exist and thrive as a unique and proud heritage.

We acknowledge the contributions and guidance provided by Aunty Zeta Thomson, Yorta Yorta/Wurundjeri Aboriginal Elder, who has a lifetime involvement in Aboriginal community and Culture, to this program. The powerful stories and knowledge she has shared with us have guided us in creating an authentic and respectful program that highlights the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics of Australia's First nations People as well as the culture and histories of the Aboriginal communities of Victoria.

An extension module complementing the onsite program and develops students’ numeracy skills is available for completion upon your return back to school. This module consists of a student workbook and teacher resource book with solutions.

Due to the number of Minecraft licenses, we can only accommodate one class (up to 28 students) per day.

Students gain an understanding of perimeter, volume and scaling using examples from the world of Minecraft. The module consists of a student workbook and teacher resource book with solutions. Access to Minecraft is not required to complete the activities.

The workbook has five activities:

1. Floor plans - multiplication and division of whole numbers in a 2D space (2 hours).

2. Area - determine number of blocks in a 2D space using appropriate area formulae (1 hour).

3. Volume - determine number of blocks in a 3D space using appropriate volume formulae (2 hours).

4. Measurements and units - using appropriate units for area vs volume, converting between units (1.5 hours).

5. Estimation and scale - compare sizes in Minecraft to the real world (2 hours).