2026-2027 Enrichments
Coding, Engineering & Game Creation with Minecraft Education:
(Grades 2-6)
Time: 4:30 PM–5:30 PM
(Grades K-8)
Location: JCC West Orange, NJ
Season: Fall
Dive into the exciting world of coding and game design in this hands-on, creative class tailored for students in grades 2 through 8! Using the popular platforms Minecraft Education and Roblox Studio, students will learn to code, design interactive games, and build immersive virtual worlds.
Through Minecraft Education, younger students will be introduced to coding fundamentals using block-based coding and visual logic, while older students can explore more advanced concepts like Python or JavaScript in a familiar, engaging environment. With Roblox Studio, students will bring their game ideas to life using Lua scripting, gaining real-world programming skills while developing their own playable 3D games.
Each session combines creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration as students:
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Learn coding fundamentals and game design principles
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Build custom Minecraft challenges and Roblox games
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Work on individual and team-based projects
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Test, play, and share their creations
No prior experience is required—just imagination and a love for games! Projects are designed to scale in complexity based on grade and experience level, ensuring every student is challenged and supported.
JCC West Orange Robotics Program
Time: 4:30 PM–5:45 PM
(Grades K-8)
FLL Explore Grades K-4
Challenge team grades 5-8
Location: JCC West Orange, NJ
Season: Fall
Dates:
This program introduces students to hands-on STEM learning through LEGO robotics, engineering design, coding, teamwork, and problem-solving. It will include two levels: FLL Explore for younger or beginner students and FLL Challenge for more advanced, competitive teams.
Program Structure:
September: Competitive Team Start
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Competitive FLL Explore teams begin in September.
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Students will work on team building, robot design, missions, coding, and project research.
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This early start allows teams to prepare for tournaments and develop strong collaboration skills.
October: Regular Robotics Classes
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Regular after-school robotics classes begin in October.
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These classes will introduce new students to robotics fundamentals and prepare them for future team placement.
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Sessions will focus on building, coding, creativity, and problem-solving in a fun and supportive environment.
Program Levels:
FLL Explore (EXPO in January)
Designed for younger students or beginners, FLL Explore encourages curiosity and introduces engineering concepts through age-appropriate challenge models, storytelling, and teamwork.
FLL Challenge (Non competition)
Designed for older or more experienced students, FLL Challenge is a competitive robotics experience where students build and program a LEGO robot to complete missions while also presenting an innovation project related to the season’s theme.
Program Highlights:
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Hands-on LEGO robotics.
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Coding and engineering skill-building.
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Teamwork and communication.
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Creative problem-solving.
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Opportunities for both non-competitive and competitive participation.
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A strong pathway from introductory robotics to tournament-level competition.


