Why Game-based Learning for SDGs?
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a collection of 17 global goals designed to be a blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all by 2030.
Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) is an educational approach that empowers people with the knowledge, skills, values, and behaviors needed to make responsible choices for the environment, economy, and society.
For students currently in K-12 schools, they are called "generation Alpha". They are digital native and grow up with interactive digital games. Using games and gamification to reach where they are is a research-based approach.
UN Environment released a research on using games to connect public with climate change - PLAYING FOR THE PLANET - HOW VIDEO GAMES CAN DELIVER FOR PEOPLE AND THE ENVIRONMENT. It shows that video games have the potential to trigger huge directional shifts in thinking and in action.
In our program, we invite children to build virtual ecosystems to learn about SDG 14 - Life under water, and SDG 15 - Life on land, connect children with their peers around the world to experience how their daily choices can make a big, and real difference. For them, SDG 13 - Climate Action is not something for adults to care, but an exciting, uplifting collaboration that they can take in real life.