By Annette Pinder
Parents often complain that their children spend too much time playing video games. But what if they could transform their kids’ love of gaming it into an educational experience that would better prepare them for life’s challenges?
The Jewish Community Center of Buffalo (JCC) has made that a reality by creating an Esports Arena for children ages 7 through 12, where they learn to think strategically, while having fun in a safe environment. To accomplish this, JCC Esports Arena’s skilled instructors utilize an educational version of the popular game known as Minecraft, during which the children collaborate with, and work with others, to solve problems as they work on various projects. In addition to honing their skills in math and language arts, the kids learn coding, how to build houses, design new games, and develop sustainable cities of the future.
Nathaniel Gunawardene, who leads the Minecraft Club at the JCC, is a graduate of Buffalo State College, and attended high school in Dubai where he was exclusively academically focused. He explains, “In Dubai, youngsters did not have the luxury of participating in after-school clubs that brought out their passions. However, my brother attended Williamsville East, and I saw how he benefited from being involved in after-school clubs there that actually enhanced his academic performance.”
“What I love about video games is having to make split-second decisions that can apply to everyday life. Playing Minecraft with proper guidance, you learn how to read the room, with very little consequence for any mistakes you make. I wish I had this opportunity while growing up.” One example of a recent lesson the children learned was how to use a mouse and keyboard, rather than the controllers they use at home. “Most young children haven’t had that experience, and it was a valuable lesson,” says Nathaniel.
Connor Whitney, who graduated from University at Buffalo with a degree in history and political science, and who will be attending UB School of Law in the fall, says he has been tinkering with coding for the past 10 years. Connor teaches Learning to Code with Minecraft using block-based coding language, as well as Python, and will eventually teach the children Javascript. Through coding, the children learn how to move characters, use commands to create movement, build parks, homes, animate a wind farm, or create a lighting system. “The kids love it and so do the parents. They see what a powerful tool coding can be, and how it is a great precursor to robotics, business computer science, and engineering,” he says.
The JCC Esports arena is also available for birthday parties, teens, adults of all ages, corporate events, and rentals. Registration for the spring sessions of The Minecraft Gaming Club and Learning to Code with Minecraft is March 6, with classes starting the week of April 3. Learn more at www.jccbuffalo.org or call Jim Mahjoubian, at 716-688-4033 ext. 336, or email him at JMahjoubian@jccbuffalo.org.
