Minecraft lesson immerses Mount Vernon STEAM Academy scholars in Ancient Rome

Ian Smith’s social studies students at Mount Vernon STEAM Academy took a virtual tour of the Roman Colosseum on Wednesday, December 21, 2022. Their tour, however, was on the computer game Minecraft. In class, students learned about Ancient Rome and the concept of “bread and circuses,” a theory that the ruling class would keep the lower classes content with entertainment instead of significant improvements to their quality of life.  

Once they completed their unit on the Colosseum, they were released into the virtual world of Minecraft. The lesson had activities for all skill levels, with the main goal of engaging and immersing students in Ancient Roman life. 

“This is bringing it to life,” said Mr. Smith. “They can actually go and explore the Colosseum, see how massive it was and how much of an undertaking it can be because Rome was not built in a day.” 

By the third day of the lesson, much of the Colosseum was already reconstructed. Some of the tasks that students completed were repairing the walls and seats, creating in-game characters that could act as tour guides, and programming trapdoors and other mechanisms around the Colosseum.  

“I think it is a great idea to study Ancient Rome using Minecraft and technology because this is a STEM school, and it is a creative and engaging way to use what students know to teach them important concepts,” said Humanities Chair Anjannette Brown. “It ties into the concept that sometimes when you are doing important tasks; you really have to spend time doing it. Much like Rome was not built in a day, this lesson takes time. This type of student-centered lesson promotes student engagement primarily. The teacher is just playing the role of facilitator.” 

The project was designed with student choice in mind, and they could take their reparations in whatever direction they liked. At the end of the lesson, students will participate in an in-game gladiator battle in the Colosseum they had a part in reconstructing. 

“I think it’s a cool way for us to see all the buildings in Rome,” said Keyon-Dre Williams, ninth-grade student at Mount Vernon STEAM Academy. “I think the fact that we're building the Colosseum and repairing it can help us learn more about it.  

Students then complete a daily journal using in-game items such as a book and quill and the camera to document their activities of the day.  

Half of the project consists of a written reflection based on several prompts. Their writings will focus on the role of the Colosseum in Roman life and culture as well as their experience of the project. 

The goal of the project is to immerse students in ancient Rome, to give a sense of scale of the real Colosseum, and to engage the students in the content.