Students in Mr. Money’s STEM class at Clarksville Middle School have taken a creative and hands-on approach to learning about their town by building a detailed virtual model of Clarksville using Minecraft.
Their hard work and imagination caught the attention of the Town of Clarksville’s Planning & Zoning Department, who visited the class on May 15th to see the students’ projects firsthand and recognize their efforts. Planning Director Neal Turpin and Associate Planner Kaylie Malloy spoke to the class, sharing how their department helps guide the town’s physical development through thoughtful land use, zoning, and long-term planning.
What the students built in Minecraft was more than a fun school project—it was a real-world exercise in urban planning. From designing streets and parks to imagining public spaces and commercial areas, the students engaged in the same kind of creative problem-solving that planners use every day to shape livable, vibrant communities.
The visit served several purposes: to celebrate the students’ work, explain how municipal planning works, and most importantly, to hear directly from the students about their ideas for the future of Clarksville. Many students emphasized a need for more spaces to stay active year-round, especially during the winter. Popular suggestions included indoor recreational facilities like basketball courts and multi-use activity centers reminding us how planning impacts quality of life at every age.
To honor their thoughtful designs and innovative thinking, several students were presented with Young Planner Awards. Mr. Money, who created and led the project, plans to continue it in future years, further building the bridge between classroom learning and community engagement.
This collaboration shows just how impactful project-based learning can be—and how valuable youth voices are in shaping the places they call home. The Town of Clarksville is proud of these young innovators and looks forward to more opportunities to work with students on imagining a brighter, well-zoned future.