Science Hunters: Earth Sciences in Minecraft

Science Hunters is a well-established programme of projects engaging children to explore science in Minecraft. Due to the backgrounds of the project team, a number of the topics covered by Science Hunters have an Earth Science focus.

This project aims to produce online resources such as 'Minecraft challenges', with short introductions on Earth Science topics. 

It is currently funded by UWE Bristol's College of Health, Science and Society Higher Education Innovation Fund 2023-24 grant. Resources will be listed below as they become available.

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

• Fossils (PDF)

• Eruption-resistant buildings (PDF) from Building to Break Barriers
• Earthquake-resistant buildings (PDF) from Building to Break Barriers
• Robots in hazardous environments (PDF) from Building to Break Barriers
• ‘Lava flows’ within Exploring chemistry in the environment in Minecraft (PDF) 

• Science Hunters: Science learning through Minecraft. Education in Science
• Science Hunters: An inclusive approach to engaging with science through Minecraft. Journal of Science Communication 
• Digging deep into geosciences with Minecraft. Eos (24-29) 
• Using Minecraft to engage children with science at public events. Research for All
• Science Hunters: Teaching science concepts in schools using Minecraft. Action Research and Innovation in Science Education

• “So we can’t bring a volcano into the classroom…” Communicating geosciences through digital media (PDF). Geophysical Research Abstracts
• Exploring space using Minecraft. Space Science in Context
• Exploring engineering solutions to environmental hazards through Minecraft. European Geosciences Union

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