Science Hunters

Science Hunters is an overarching scheme, within which various projects use the Science Hunters approach to engage children of all ages with Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) using the popular computer game Minecraft. They learn about STEM concepts and research and try out some hands-on demonstrations before building their own related creations in the game.

Minecraft is an incredibly popular game, especially with children. It is an effective science communication tool, as it has many analogies to real-world processes which aid in explaining scientific concepts, and gives children a sense of ownership and expertise. Evaluations undertaken by the Science Hunters team indicate that use of Minecraft both attracts children who might not otherwise have engaged with science learning, and successfully improves scientific knowledge and understanding after participating in sessions.

The Science Hunters approach follows a constructivist pedagogy, utilising anchored instruction and constructionism. Science Hunters has a focus on reaching children from under-represented groups with a particularly strong record of working with children with Special Educational Needs, Looked After Children, and children from low participation neighbourhoods and eligible for Pupil Premium. Activities have been delivered in schools, at public events and in regular Minecraft Clubs for children from specific groups, in-person and remotely.

The scheme is managed by SCU Senior Research Fellow, Dr Laura Hobbs, collaborating with various organisations interested in using Minecraft as a learning tool to explore the game’s efficacy in science communication. 

UWE Bristol-led Science Hunters projects include:

• Exploring the molecular basis of diabetes with Minecraft 
• Building to Break Barriers
• Crafting our Future – Engineering the West in Minecraft
• Contributions to Investing in the Future of Science
• Science Hunters: Earth sciences in Minecraft
• Science Hunters: Engineering for sustainable societies

Science Hunters was initiated in 2014 as a small Widening Participation outreach project in Lancaster Environment Centre at Lancaster University, engaging children with environmental science research. By 2020, it had grown to be one of the largest such projects in the UK, expanding to operate collaboratively with the Science Communication Unit at UWE Bristol and work with the Universities of Aberdeen, Newcastle, Hull and Loughborough as well as many other external partner organisations. To date, Science Hunters has reached more than 25,000 children in schools, at public events and through our Minecraft Clubs.

As of 2022, Science Hunters is now fully based in the Science Communication Unit, UWE Bristol. More information about our project design, approach, practice and research can be found in the articles below.

Journal publications

• An inclusive approach to teaching science using Minecraft (PDF)
• Science learning through Minecraft
• Using Minecraft to engage children with science at public events
• Teaching science concepts using Minecraft
• Exploring geosciences with Minecraft (p 25) (PDF)
• Environmental education and engagement (p 20) (PDF)
• Science appeal through Minecraft for students with autism
• Exploring coral reef conservation in Minecraft
• Elements of construction - the periodic table in Minecraft (p 21)
• Collaborative development of school Minecraft resources
• Shared special interest play in a specific extra-curricular group setting: A Minecraft Club for children with Special Educational Needs
• Using Minecraft modes in teaching
• Adapting for remote delivery during COVID-19: Insights from a science engagement projects
• Engaging children from under-represented groups with STEM using Minecraft to link with the UN SDG
• Near and far: Engaging children with place through Minecraft
• Views of educators on engaging children with engineering and the Sustainable Development Goals using Minecraft

Conference presentations

• Science fun for children with SEND: Engaging through computer games (2017)
• Science Hunters - using Minecraft as an engagement tool (2017)
• Making STEM for everyone: Reaching under-served audiences (2018)
• “So we can’t bring a volcano into the classroom…” Communicating geosciences through digital media (2019)
• Communicating STEM through Minecraft (2019)
• Exploring space using Minecraft (2020)
• Exploring engineering solutions to environmental hazards through Minecraft (2022)
• Inclusive exploration of sustainable goals and solutions through Minecraft (2022) - Winner of an International Sustainable Ecological Engineering Design for Society (SEEDS) Chair’s Award (PDF)
• Engaging children with engineering through the use of Minecraft (2024)
• Using Minecraft Clubs to support neurodivergent children with STEM (2024)

Practitioner guides and resources

• Engaging children with STEM using Minecraft 
• Engagement through Minecraft: Available editions. A guide for practitioners 
• Investing in the Future of Science: Science Hunters activities
• Building to Break Barriers activity resources
• Engineering for Sustainable Societies activity resources
• Earth Sciences in Minecraft activity resources  

Science Hunters in action

• BBC News TV report
• Inside Science, BBC Radio 4 (from 17:04)

For more information, please contact sciencehunters@uwe.ac.uk.