After-School STEM Enrichment Franchise Launches Course to Teach Students Urban Planning through Minecraft™, 3D Design Software
SALT LAKE CITY — (BUSINESS WIRE) — September 23, 2015 — If you think urban planning, structural design and the study of landmarks is just for adults, guess again. At Zaniac, a national STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) enrichment franchise for students in grades K-8, kids are starting young. This month, Zaniac will launch an Architectural Design course at campuses nationwide where students can design structures, cities and towns using the popular video game Minecraft while learning about key math and science concepts that relate to city planning.
The Game-Based Learning: Architectural Design course, which launches Sept. 28, will offer second through eighth grade students the opportunity to explore cities near and far using Google Maps as a vehicle for interacting with urban planning and architecture. Through the 3D computer-aided design (CAD) software Tinkercad and Minecraft, students will import structures into Minecraft, delve into design elements and learn first-hand about city issues.
“The urban planning architectural program is designed for kids who might not love traditional STEM courses,” said Zaniac President and Chief Academic Officer Sidharth Oberoi. “Students will gain a real world understanding of what it takes to design a functioning cityscape, which inspires creativity and sharpens critical thinking skills.”
In the class, students will encounter real-world challenges that come with urban planning, such as factoring in zoning issues and learning why cities are strategically set up in certain ways from an architectural standpoint. The course aims to teach students 21st century skills that will prepare kids for future jobs.
Zaniac currently has two campuses open in Salt Lake City and Park City, Utah, in addition to franchises in Florida, Connecticut and New York City. A Boston-area campus is opening in October in Woburn, Massachusetts. The fast-growing franchise plans to reach 50 campuses by 2017.
The new game-based learning program is a 90-minute class that meets once a week for six weeks, and the five-to-one student to instructor ratio ensures a personalized, peer-based educational experience.
In addition to Architectural Design, Zaniac offers a multitude of STEM learning programs that get kids excited to learn math and science while preparing them for 21st century jobs, including Zaniac Robotics: LEGO®, Game-Based Learning: Minecraft™, App Creation, 3D Printing, Fashion Design and Computer Programming.
For more information about Zaniac, or how to enroll in the Architectural Design program, visit www.zaniaclearning.com.
Zaniac makes math, technology, and other STEM fields of study fun, helping K-8 kids to engage, develop confidence, and measurably improve their academic performance. Zaniac is like school at its best—an active, inspiring place filled with friends and friends-to-be. Zaniac, a division of Park City, Utah-based Zane Prep, is looking to expand its franchise nationwide. For more information, visit www.zaniaclearning.com.