Science Hunters: Natural 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 are based in natural sciences, often with an earth and environmental focus.

Initiated via a UWE Bristol College of Health, Science and Society Higher Education Innovation Fund 2023-24 grant, this project aims to produce online resources such as 'Minecraft challenges', with short introductions on natural sciences topics. 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) 
• Farms of the future (PDF) from Building to Break Barriers
• River management (PDF) from Building to Break Barriers
• Food security (PDF) from Engineering for Sustainable Societies
• Natural flood management (PDF) from Engineering for Sustainable Societies
• Exploring chemistry in the environment in Minecraft (PDF) from Investing in the Future of Science
• Periodic table with Minecraft YouTube videos
• The Amazon rainforest in Minecraft YouTube video
• Building understanding of diabetes with Minecraft

• 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
• Environmental education and engagement using a construction play computer game (PDF). Roots BGCI Education Review (20-23)
• Exploring coral reef conservation in Minecraft. Primary Science
• Elements of construction – Minecraft and the periodic table (PDF). Environmental Chemistry Group Bulletin (p21-23)
• Adapting for remote delivery during COVID-19: Insights from a science engagement project. Natural Sciences Education
• Engaging children from under-represented groups with STEM using Minecraft to link with the UN SDGs. Primary Science

• “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)