As the academic year draws to a close for North Penn’s senior class, many students are reflecting on their high school experiences through various creative outlets. Among them, one senior has taken a particularly innovative approach by constructing an intricate replica of North Penn High School in the popular video game, Minecraft.
A Passion Project Comes to Life
Jason Dodge, a North Penn senior, has been captivated by Minecraft since he first discovered it nearly a decade ago. His journey into digital architecture began in ninth grade when he successfully recreated Pennfield, garnering enthusiastic feedback from peers and teachers alike. This positive reception inspired him to embark on a more ambitious project: a detailed representation of his current high school.
To achieve this, Dodge utilized Google Earth’s 3D view as a foundational reference for the school’s exterior and campus layout. He meticulously gathered information from floor plans, personal notes, and photographs to ensure accuracy. His dedication is evident in the extensive Google Sheet he created, which meticulously documented the wall and floor colors of every classroom, hallway, and stairwell within the building.
The scale of North Penn High School posed a significant challenge for Dodge. What he initially anticipated would take about a year to complete turned into a three-year endeavor, requiring over 180 hours of gameplay. Throughout this process, he also welcomed insights and suggestions from fellow student Rayat Karim, further enriching the project.
“The hardest part of the project was the sheer scale of it. The high school is so large that it took a huge amount of time to achieve the level of detail I desired,” Dodge shared. His experience with the Pennfield project, which took only three months, led him to underestimate the complexity of recreating North Penn High School. Yet, the journey has been rewarding, allowing him to combine his love for gaming with a meaningful tribute to his high school experience.
