The Hour of Code
The Hour of Code is an annual event that celebrates Computer Science Education Week (the first week of December). Once again, Cedar Crest College is hosting the Hour of Code for faculty, staff, students, and the community!
During this hour, participants will work in Minecraft using Microsoft's Makecode, as well as Python, to create and test solutions to several problems within the game. The hour will be led by using block-style programming of the Makecode environment for one session and Python for the other!
This Hour of Code Theme: Generation AI
Are you READY to be a part of GENERATION AI? Come and join us for a journey through several problem-solving exercises where we learn a little bit about what AI can and cannot do! Use AI to build a bridge, code a fair and inclusive food scanner, fix a lawnmower to be safe and reliable, code a transparent and accountable trash collector -- and more!
During this hour of fun and coding, you will:
- Learn Minecraft skills
- Learn Microsoft Makecode Block coding OR using Python
- Use reasoning and process-driven thinking to solve programmatic puzzles
- Use information, clues, and reasoning to choose the next step in the escape adventure.
- Understand how to apply computational thinking to non-computer-related problems.
- Create coding solutions that include sequences, iteration, and loops
- Decompose (break down) the steps needed to solve a problem into a precise sequence of instructions
- Iterate on coding solutions to complete a task
When? And how do I sign up?
The Hour of Code is being held on the following dates/times; registration is necessary to attend Hour of Code events!
In-person attendance is limited to the first 5 registrations.
- Tuesday, December 10th between 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM in the Convergence Lab, and online in Teams BLOCK CODING - Click here to register.
- Wednesday, December 11th between 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM in the Convergence Lab, and online in Teams PYTHON CODING - Click here to register.
What do I need? How do I get it?
To attend and participate in The Hour of Code you will need:
- Minecraft EDU edition downloaded and installed on your computer. You can download this from the Microsoft Store.
- If you are attending live, please arrive about 10-15 minutes early so we can help you get set up before the event begins. Information on installing Minecraft EDU is below.
- If you are attending live, please bring your own laptop. If you need a device, please indicate that on the registration page.
All Cedar Crest College students have a license for Minecraft for Education (EDU). Others can use the trial edition for The Hour of Code. Depending on your school's license, some will run on a trial basis (10 times), but that will be sufficient to complete the Hour of Code. Please note, other editions of Minecraft may not work for Hour of Code.
- To download Minecraft EDU Open the Microsoft Store on your computer, search for Minecraft Education, and DOWNLOAD! You can also click here.
- Once you have Minecraft EDU edition downloaded, install Minecraft following the on-screen instructions.
- When you launch Minecraft, it will ask you to sign in. Sign in using your FalconNet email address and password.
- Once signed in, click on Hour of Code to see the available worlds.
- Generation AI will be listed, but we will walk through that on the day of the event.
Watch this video walk-through on getting Minecraft EDU, downloading, installing, and signing into Minecraft EDU manually (non-Microsoft Store)
But I am not a Cedar Crest College Student - How do I join the Teams Event?
Anyone from the neighboring community or invited K-12 schools that has access to Minecraft can join! Don't have access to Minecraft, we can still help - scroll down!
Here's what you need to do:
- Use one of the links above to register for the event you want to attend (you can attend more than one virtually). You must register!
- Once you register, you will receive an invitation in your email inbox with the link to attend.
- Watch this video walk-through on getting Minecraft EDU, downloading, installing, and signing into Minecraft EDU.
- At the time of your event, load up Minecraft, click the link - and we'll take care of the rest!
I need help accessing Minecraft!!
If you have any questions about the event or getting Minecraft EDU - please contact Bruce Sarte by emailing basarte@cedarcrest.edu.
REGISTER FOR THE 2024 HOUR OF CODE EVENT
- The Hour of Code is being held on 12/10 and 12/11 in the Cressman Convergence Lab and ONLINE via Teams.
- Registration is necessary to attend these events both in-person and online.
12/10/2024 from 12:00 PM until 1:00 PM – The Hour of Code: Minecraft Generation AI (Block Coding) – Click Here to Register.
12/11/2024 from 12:00 PM until 1:30 PM – The Hour of Code: Minecraft Generation AI (Python) – Click Here to Register.