MolCraft

8-10 yrs old

11-13 yrs old

14-18 yrs old

18+ yrs old

History

Science

Students at the University of Hull have populated a Minecraft world with structures of proteins, chemicals and even some chemical history.

Submitted By: Joel Mills

April 4, 2018

Lesson Plan
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Skills

Character
Critical Thinking

External References

The MolCraft project page

Project site giving more background & links to alternative world downloads for Java and MinecraftEDU.

RSC Site

We promote, support and celebrate chemistry The world’s leading chemistry community, advancing excellence in the chemical sciences.

National Protein Database

The RCSB PDB builds upon the data by creating tools & resources for research and education in molecular, structural, computational biology & beyond.

MolCraft World File

Download the world file for MolCraft in Minecraft: Education Edition.

Supporting Files

MolCraft Books text

Text file containing the questions or clues in each book.

Learning Objectives

Differentiate between atoms/elements and compounds/molecules.
Recognise that atoms in molecules are represented by different colours. Recognise carbon, nitrogen, hydrogen, oxygen and sulfur in a molecular model.
Be aware of the large variety of both artificial and natural molecules.
Understand that proteins are very large molecules constructed from smaller molecules called amino acids.

Guiding Ideas

Proteins are the molecular machines that control all the biochemical processes in living things. Proteins start with amino acids which then link together to form long chains, these then fold up well defined structures which are unique to each protein.

Visualising proteins usually needs professional software, so instead we have imported proteins structures into Minecraft, allowing students to explore these marvellous molecules in an environment that they are familiar with.

The world also introduces some fundamental chemistry, simple molecular structures and some history of chemistry.

Explanations are provided throughout the world via NPCs, books and signs.

Student Activities

The Molcraft world is split into 4 areas.

1) Spawn hub contains background information delivered by NPCs, signs and wirtten books.

2) On the right side of the hub are a series of alcoves which take students to areas containing structures of proteins.

3) The alcoves on the left takes students to structures of amino acids.

4) At the end of the hub is a corridor taking students to a map of the UK and some sites of chemical historical interest

The world is set out as a treasure hunt, with students collecting items hidden in chests throughout the world. Some are easy to find, others are fiendishly difficult. Some of the items can only be located if students use the knowledge they have gained to solve puzzles and answer questions.