* coronavirus 코로나바이러스 /* Bronx High School of Science 브롱스 과학고등학교

* New York City <미국의 도시> 뉴욕시 /* avatar 아바타 (온라인에서 개인을 대신하/는 캐릭터) 

campus 캠퍼스 / classmate 반 친구 / come up with 생각해내다 / solution 해결책 / attend ~에 다니다 / use 활용하다 (be used 활용되다) / popular 인기 있는 / build 짓다, 건설하다 (= construct) / virtual world 가상 세계 / copy 복제본 / classroom 교실 / floor 층 / auditorium 강당 / cafeteria 구내 식당 / create 만들다 / each other 서로 / example 예, 예시 / few 많지 않은 / set 설정된 / goal 목표 / rule 규칙 / instead 대신에 / player 참가자 / freely 자유롭게 / explore 탐험하다 / other 다른 / recently 최근에 / earlier this year 올해 초 / graduation ceremony 졸업식 / be cancelled 취소되다 (cancel 취소하다) / hold 개최하다

Minecraft Campus  

Because of the coronavirus,* students are studying at home. They cannot go to their school and see their classmates.

So, some students came up with a solution. These students attend the Bronx High School of Science* in New York City.*

They used the video game, Minecraft. The popular game can be used to build a virtual world.

With Minecraft, the students built a digital copy of their school. They constructed all the classrooms on three floors. They also made the auditorium and the cafeteria.

Then, the students created avatars* of themselves. This way, they can meet each other on the virtual campus.

Sandbox Game

Minecraft is an example of a sandbox game. Sandbox games have few set goals or rules. Instead, players can freely explore the virtual world.

Other Schools

Other schools recently used Minecraft, too. Earlier this year, graduation ceremonies were cancelled. So, some schools in the U.S.* and Japan* held virtual graduation ceremonies.

▪ Talk!! Talk!!

1. What do you think about the solution produced by the students?

2. If you were one of these students, what solution would be best to see your classmates and teachers while at home?

3. Have you ever played Minecraft? If yes, what did you build?

4. What exactly is an avatar?

5. What is your opinion about  virtual graduation ceremonies?