6 primary schools collaborate to programme sustainability and metaverse in minds of students

Six primary schools have joined hands with technology, entertainment and education companies to develop ’Discover2se – Metaverse in Education’, a programme to build a mindset of sustainability among students through a hybrid, shared learning experience on “Minecraft for Education”.

The muti-partnerships aim to empower 3,000 students to start the learning journey of sustainability, done in collaboration with the Education University of Hong Kong Jockey Club Primary School (Convenor), Aldrich Bay Government Primary School, Lam Tsuen Public Wong Fook Luen Memorial School, SKH Yautong Kei Hin Primary School, St. Francis of Assisi's English Primary School and the Salvation Army Lam Butt Chung Memorial School.

The name refers to the blending of two universes – the physical and the virtual. Through a series of customised workshops and a competition, the year-round programme equips students with essential ocean and species conservation knowledge while providing hands-on experience of collaboration in the metaverse.

Powered by Microsoft Hong Kong, its global training partner Gamenoodlesoup and Ocean Park Hong Kong, the first of its kind Discover2sehybrid learning course will run in the upcoming academic year to help students discover and appreciate the beauty of biological diversity and nature and foster sustainability awareness.

The programme will take place in-person through workshops and visits to Ocean Park, as well as virtually through Microsoft’s “Minecraft for Education”, which offers students direct experience of animals and nature conservation on a game-based learning platform.

Fred Sheu, national technology officer of Microsoft Hong Kong, said: “Raising awareness of the importance of sustainability among the next generation is at the forefront of our minds. We believe in the power of technology to help solve environmental challenges in Hong Kong and the world. Others share our vision and we are excited to empower the Education University of Hong Kong Jockey Club Primary School with Minecraft for Education to inspire students with immersive experiences in the virtual world and stimulate their awareness of environmental issues.”

Shirley Duthie Chuang Sha Li, principal of the Education University of Hong Kong Jockey Club Primary School, said: “Appreciation of nature is an essential part of life education and should take root at primary school. Creating experiences of the natural world through technology is a good way to instill in our students a sense of personal responsibility in environmental protection,”

“As the convenor of the Discover2se – Metaverse in Education programme and a Microsoft Showcase School, we are glad to provide our STEM education know-how and work with our peers to cultivate a mindset of sustainability in the next generation. We are also excited to help reimagine and reshape education for the future, empowered by technology and virtual platforms like Minecraft for Education,” she added. 

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