Zaniac : Launches Game Modding for Minecraft™ and Tinkering Classes

Three new programs give Utah K-8 students the ability to test their STEM expertise for video game creation and engineering-rich, electronic tinkering.

Zaniac, an afterschool STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) enrichment program for students in kindergarten through eighth grades, announced three new STEM learning classes: Game Modding: Minecraft™, Tinkering: Intro to Circuits, and Tinkering: Intro to Microcontrollers, which officially launched the week of January 12^th. The three new offerings are now part of Zaniac’s year-around course schedule at its two Utah locations.

“We are excited to bring new methods for inspiring students across STEM learning,” said Zaniac President Sidharth Oberoi. “As the video game industry and engineering professions continue to boom, it becomes critically important for students to acquire the skills these courses offer. Given the enthusiasm we see on Zaniac campuses, it is likely many of our students will be working in STEM fields in the future. It should be no surprise that Utah is ranked so high for STEM-related entrepreneurism, given the support of public and private schools, and afterschool learning programs like Zaniac and Utah’s STEM Action Center.”

In Game Modding: Minecraft™, students in fourth through eighth grades learn to customize the Minecraft experience with tools and techniques used by real game developers. Offered at both introductory and advanced levels, Game Modding teaches students how to work with real developer tools including JDK, Eclipse, and Gimp.

Tinkering: Intro to Circuits is offered to students in second through fifth grades, while Tinkering: Intro to Microcontrollers is designed for students in grades six through eight. Zaniac’s Tinkering program focuses on the design elements of engineering-rich, electronic tinkering activities and uses real-world, hands-on creation and peer-based instruction to create a fun and collaborative atmosphere.

The new STEM programs meet for 90 minutes, once each week for six weeks; a five-to-one student to instructor ratio ensures a maximized learning environment. Course prices range between $249 and $299 per student.

EDITORS NOTE: Zaniac’s Sidharth Oberoi is available to comment on the importance of STEM learning and entrepreneurism in Utah and nationwide in conjunction with the First Lego® League state championship slated for Saturday, January 31^st at University of Utah’s Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute.

ABOUT ZANIAC

Zaniac makes math, technology, and other STEM fields of study fun, helping K-8 kids to become engaged, 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 is a division of Zane Prep, a privately held company headquartered in Park City, Utah with 4 franchise locations nationwide and expansion underway. For more information, visit www.zaniaclearning.com.