FCL x Hour of Code

Going Beyond the Hour of Code Building Global Partnerships with Minecraft:EE.

The countdown for the Hour of Code is on! Taking place each year during Computer Science Education Week, the Hour of Code aims to inspire K-12 students to take part in computer science and make coding more approachable.

Originally conceived by Code.org, the event is now a global movement, with coding events popping up in over 180 countries! This year, we're following suit and are ecstatic to be going beyond the Hour of Code building global partnerships with Minecraft Education Edition. Intiated by WE, powered by Microsoft, and supported by FCL, the event will connect educators and students in Canada and Kenya through Minecraft, AI and the Hour of Code. 100 students from YCDSB will take part next Monday at the WE Global Learning Centre to learn and collaborate with students from Fountain Youth Initiative , a non-profit organization that works in the slums of Nairobi and rural areas on the western part of Kenya. The organization is run and managed by local people with the support of international volunteers. Fountain Youth Initiative was established in 2009 as a way to nurture, empower and transform orphans, vulnerable children and marginalized youth into self-reliant, independent and key players in their community.

The students and educators will hear from Microsoft leaders in AI about how AI is empowering humans to take action, inspiring us to use technology, resources and expertise to help solve humanitarian issues.

The good news is ANYONE can celebrate the Hour of Code with Minecraft; no Windows login is necessary to access the new free lesson inspired by Microsoft’s AI for Earth team, who use artificial intelligence to help solve global environmental challenges. Jump over to code.org/minecraft to check out all of the tutorials available for Minecraft Hour of Code. To get your hands on the Minecraft AI for Good lesson, you want to click here.

That's not it, if you're interested in exploring Minecraft: EE, professional learning workshops are available through FCL free of charge. That always makes us do a happy dance. You can sign up here.