Modding With Minecraft: Beginner Modding Part 1
Ages 9-13

Learn real coding and add your own custom mods to the Minecraft experience! Block-based coding helps students learn important concepts that can prepare them for more advanced coding languages in the future.

AGES: 9 – 13

PREREQUISITE: None

SOFTWARE: MCreator– View Website –Cost- FREE, Minecraft Java Edition– View Website-Cost- $29.99, and Blockbench– View Website— Cost- FREE

CODING LANGUAGE: Blockly (Visual Based Language)

PATH: Creating Minecraft Mods

FORMATS: Live Group Class, Self-Paced Class

Modding With Minecraft (Beginner Modding: Part 1)- Ages 9-13

This class introduces students to creating Minecraft mods using a block-based language. The coding blocks help students learn important concepts that can prepare them for more advanced coding languages and mods in the future.

Students in this class learn to use coding to make fundamental changes to what is possible in Minecraft. They learn how to create custom blocks, tools/weapons, and NPCs (Mobs) Students are also introduced to important programming concepts.

Technology Requirements:

A Minecraft (PC/MAC-Java Edition) is required for this program. See website. Other editions of Minecraft (like Windows 10 and Pocket Edition) will not work with the class.
You must have a PC or Mac to run this edition of Minecraft. It will not work on a Chrome Book or tablet.
Students use a free program called MCreator to build and code their mod. https://mcreator.net
Students use a free program called Blockbench (a 3D model editor) to create a custom texture for an NPC (Mob). https://www.blockbench.net/

In this class, students will learn to…

Use a drag and drop programming language called Blockly. Blockly is a great way to set students up for more advanced programming.
Organize commands and directions into functions.
Give special abilities to weapons in Minecraft.
Create new items in Minecraft (blocks, tools, NPCs).
Customize AI of NPCs (Mobs) they create.
Create their own textures to give a custom look to new items.
Create amazing Mods using programming loops, logic (IF/THEN), and more!
Define and use variables in coding.

Create2Discover classes integrate future-ready skills into the curriculum to help prepare students for a rapid-changing future. This class includes a problem solving technique called computational thinking that helps students break down problems, look for patterns, use abstraction, and create an algorithm to solve the problem.

Parent Reviews

Over 1,200 Five-Star Reviews on Outschool

“Amazing teacher and class! The teacher was extremely well-prepared and organized each week. My son loved it and learned so much. We are definitely planning to take more classes with this teacher to learn more coding and modding.”

An Outschool Parent

“My son absolutely loved this class! We had to take a little time ahead of time getting access to the necessary websites and microphone/camera setup – this was so worth it and pretty easy to do, the instructions the teacher shared ahead of time were great. Would 110% do again. “

Carrie C.

About The Instructor

Shawn D. Walk has been an educator for over 17 years. He was a 4th/5th grade teacher for 11 years at an elementary school north of Pittsburgh. During his time at that school, he focused on project-based learning and engaging students with real-world tasks that allowed them to see how what they were learning is used in the real world. He also developed a passion for technology and worked to include that in his teaching. Shawn developed several robotics and coding programs during his time as a teacher and helped students learn essential 21st century skills in a fun and exciting way.

About 5 years ago, He started a company in Pittsburgh that partnered with schools to offer coding, Minecraft, and other creative classes. The company was one of the first organizations in the Pittsburgh region to use Minecraft to create engaging programs for students. He now hopes to take this type of fun and creative learning beyond the Pittsburgh region to students all over the world.

Shawn has an active Pennsylvania Teaching Certification and a Masters Degree in education. He looks forward to helping your child discover their creative powers.

Class Formats and Registration

Live Group Class

Students join a live small-group class each week via the Outschool platform. Students have an opportunity to ask questions during the lesson and get extra help from the instructor as they practice what they learned. Students are also given multiple chances to share their work with the group during the course.

How do I know if the live group class format is best for my child?

COST: $136 (1x per week, 8 weeks, 60 min)

Self-Paced Class

Students learn through interactive lessons and videos. Each lesson contains an interactive video that students follow to build and code. Each video also contains questions students have to answer as they watch to reinforce the concepts they are learning. After each video, students take a short quiz to review what they learned. Finally, students are challenged at the end of each lesson to apply what they learned to a building/coding exercise.

How do I know if the self-paced class format is best for my child?

COST: $9 Weekly or $72 for all content.

How do I get my child started?

Sign up for our email list below and we will send you information on registering your child for a class and a discount code you can use to get $30 off their first class with us. You will also receive monthly articles on how to help your child gain critical future-ready skills.

How do I know which format is best for my child?

A live class might be better if…..

Your child wants to interact with other students and share their work.
Your child wants to ask questions as they arise and get live teacher support if they are having difficulty.
Your child needs reminders to pay attention to the lesson. A live class might be better if you feel they would have a harder time focusing in a self-paced, independent class.

A self-paced class might be better if….

Your child wants to learn at their own pace and complete multiple lessons at one time and not wait each week for the next lesson in a live class.
Your child is more of an independent learner and enjoys teaching themself things using video instruction and interactive lessons.
Your child is at the higher end of the age level for the class or has some previous experience with the topic and would prefer a faster pace for the topic.