Escape a Mysterious Mansion by Dawn in the New Minecraft Hour of Code
09 Nov 2022
09 Nov 2022
We’ve been waiting to share this exciting invitation to the new Minecraft Hour of Code, and the day is finally here! Welcome to the most unique Minecraft Hour of Code lesson yet: Escape Estate! Engage your classroom in this thrilling adventure, geared toward all levels of coders, including beginners. Join the global movement with Code.org to teach everyone the basics of computer science.
Ready? Here’s the story.
In this year’s coding tutorial, you are invited by an eccentric YouTuber, the rich and famous Dr. Breakowski, to try and escape his puzzle-filled mansion by dawn and earn a million emeralds. Choose from three coding pathways—short, medium, and long—and begin the challenge. Code your way through a series of enchanted rooms, featuring engaging and imaginative storylines connected to computational thinking skills like functions and debugging. Each of these escape rooms will require you to collect hidden clues, solve coding puzzles, unlock secrets, and open trap doors that lead to the ultimate prize. In this house, Computer Science is the key to every door!
Learn computational thinking with block-based coding in Microsoft MakeCode or Tynker or code with text if you’re already ready to use Python with Notebooks! See code set you free in this amazing, immersive Minecraft world.
HOW TO RUN AN HOUR OF CODE
Escape Estate is available for free in Minecraft: Education Edition and as a free demo lesson. You can download and access the lesson even if you don’t have a log in or official license from your school. This content is suitable and fun for all age groups.
At the beginning of the tutorial, players will select their route based on their coding comfort level. New coders should start with the green path and replay the lesson to experience even more puzzle-filled rooms with the yellow and red paths. Experienced learners can test their skills by jumping right into the longer paths. With the different pathways, students can play through multiple times to discover a new coding experience!
Anyone can do an Hour of Code, whether in the classroom or at home with your family. Educator materials including a walkthough video, facilitation guides, and online training are available. For those who like to learn on their own, in-game hints will help self-directed coders through the lesson. Watch our educator walkthrough video for a step-by-step tutorial on the Hour of Code lesson:
PREPARE FOR COMPUTER SCIENCE EDUCATION WEEK
Young coders across the U.S. and beyond will be learning to code as we celebrate Computer Science Education Week, December 5-11. Here are three ways to get ready:
GO BEYOND AN HOUR WITH CS CURRICULUM
Your computer science journey doesn’t end with Hour of Code. In fact, it’s just the beginning! Minecraft: Education Edition offers easy lessons to continue the learning. Review our K-12 computer science learning progression with over 200 hours of curriculum, and take a free online training in Coding with Minecraft.
If you’re looking for more Hour of Code resources, you can play and teach with our past Minecraft Hour of Code tutorials. In last year’s coding adventure, travel back in time to save the future with TimeCraft. Students learn basic coding concepts to correct mysterious mishaps throughout history.
We believe we can create a better world through the power of play, and Escape Estate gives students a joyful way to participate in CS Ed Week. There’s never been a better time to get started. Start or continue your coding journey with an Hour of Code today!