Grade 2-5 Minecraft Space Exploration: Rockets, Telescopes and Lunar Bases

This 6-week, hands-on course uses Minecraft: Education Edition to teach foundational space science and engineering through creative building projects. Students will design rocket launch towers, construct in-game telescopes to study distant objects, and plan functional lunar habitats while learning the real science behind each project. The class introduces learners to the James Webb Space Telescope and NASA’s Artemis program in age-appropriate terms, connecting in-game challenges to real-world concepts like thrust, orbits, life support basics, and mission planning. Each session combines guided instruction, collaborative building time, and problem-solving challenges. Learners work individually and in small teams to test ideas, iterate on designs, and present their creations to the class. By the final session, students will showcase completed rockets, telescopes, and a survival-ready lunar base, explaining the science and engineering choices they made. The course emphasizes hands-on STEM skills, creative design, and teamwork rather than formal assessments. It is suitable for students in grades 2 through 5 and does not require prior experience with Minecraft. All sessions use Minecraft: Education Edition on a supported device, and necessary login details are provided by the instructor.