Science Hunters: teaching science concepts in schools using Minecraft

Laura Hobbs; Carly Stevens; Jackie Hartley; Mark Ashby; Benjamin Jackson; Lauren Bowden; Jordan Bibby; Sophie Bentley

doi:10.51724/arise.23

Authors

Laura Hobbs Lancaster University & University of the West of England, United Kingdom
Carly Stevens Lancaster University, United Kingdom
Jackie Hartley Lancaster University, United Kingdom
Mark Ashby Lancaster University, United Kingdom
Benjamin Jackson Lancaster University & University of Exeter, United Kingdom
Lauren Bowden Lancaster University & Newcastle University, United Kingdom
Jordan Bibby Lancaster University & University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Sophie Bentley Lancaster University, United Kingdom

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51724/arise.23

Keywords:

Minecraft, outreach, informal learning, interactive learning, engagement

Abstract

Science Hunters is an outreach project based at Lancaster University, UK. It uses the computer game Minecraft, alongside interactive discussion and hands-on demonstrations, to engage children with scientific research topics and science learning. As part of ongoing evaluation, the efficacy of this approach as an educational intervention was tested via pre- and post-activity questionnaires for two session topics,with 492 children participating through schools in 2017 and 2018. Statistically significant mprovement in subject knowledge was seen in post-intervention scores for both topics. There was some variation in both absolute and improvement score results between boys and girls, and primary and secondary school students. Participation leads to improved subject knowledge and understanding, regardless of prior existing knowledge.

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