Black History Month - February Monthly Museum Minecraft - Virtual

Duration

1 hour

Audience

Educators, Schools

Age

7-14

Grades

3-8

Subjects

Art & Culture, Canada, Canadian & World Studies, General, History, Language, Science, Science & Technology, Social Sciences & Humanities, Social Studies, The Arts

A Minecraft screenshot of a game character with dark skin and a suit standing in front of a large building with classical columns.

Duration

1 hour

Audience

Educators, Schools

Age

7-14

Grades

3-8

Subjects

Art & Culture, Canada, Canadian & World Studies, General, History, Language, Science, Science & Technology, Social Sciences & Humanities, Social Studies, The Arts

The Hall of Innovation has too many empty rooms – let’s discover examples of Black innovation throughout history that inspire us to fill them.

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The Hall of Innovation has too many empty spaces. It’s up to us to fill it!

In this interactive play-along lesson, students are introduced to the Hall of Innovation – a large gallery space with too many empty rooms! In order to find inspiration for new Hall of Innovation displays, a Museum Educator will use virtual versions of galleries at ROM to explore examples of Black innovation throughout history and around the world.

Then, a Minecraft Educator will provide some examples of ways students can transform that learning into a museum display within Minecraft, showcasing Minecraft tips and tricks for beginners, intermediate, and advanced Minecrafters.

You’ll need curiosity and creativity to rise to this challenge. Are you up for it?

This lesson can be done on its own, but we’ll also be returning to the Hall of Innovation in March to celebrate International Women’s Day.

Can’t attend live? No problem. In this special YouTube Live Format, you’ll be able to pause and play the lesson to go at the pace that’s right for your students. You can even watch the lesson on another day using the link you receive when you book.

Delivery Language	This lesson is offered in English only.
Activities	Explore examples of Black innovation represented by objects and belongings in galleries at ROM. Build displays to showcase this learning inspired by examples from a Minecraft Educator. Write labels for these displays using the Minecraft book & quill.
Format	Virtual Lesson
Duration	1 hour
Pricing	Free
Minimum Group	n/a
Maximum Group	Unlimited

February 11, 2026 – 9:30 AM
After the live lesson airs, classes may register to view the recording.

Learning Goals

Explore examples of innovation from Black individuals or cultures that are represented by objects in the collections at ROM.

Represent these innovations through the creative and innovative use of blocks and other items in Minecraft.

Use descriptive and summarizing language to explain their Minecraft creations via label displays for the Hall of Innovation.

Minecraft screenshot of a person with glasses talking about innovation in a dialogue bubble

While the virtual lesson is only offered in English for now, you can follow this tutorial to translate the game language into French.

Dialogue in this Minecraft World will appear in English only if the game settings are switched to French (Canada). However, engagement with the in-game dialogue is not necessary in order to complete this lesson.

Preparation:

Students should be comfortable with the basics of Minecraft, including movement and the breaking and placing of blocks. Students should also be familiar with using the camera and book & quill to document learning.

New to Minecraft?

We recommend that students are familiar with the basic Minecraft controls taught in the How to Play tutorials in the Minecraft Lesson Library, particularly:

How to Play: Movement (Keyboard and Mouse / Touchscreen)
How to Play: Break and Place (Keyboard and Mouse / Touchscreen)

You can also check out our New to Minecraft section on our Minecraft Program Support site.

Requirements

Class set of devices with Minecraft Education installed.

Minecraft Licenses are not provided by ROM. They must be provided by your school or board, or through the Camps and Clubs program for homeschool or other educators.