Tailoring Minecraft sessions on the Sustainable Development Goals and engineering to the needs of educators

<p dir="ltr"><i>The UK-based Science Hunters programme uses Minecraft to engage children with Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths. Its Engineering for Sustainable Societies project engaged children from under-represented backgrounds with engineering and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through school and community group sessions. Designed for learners aged 7-14, the project integrated real-world engineering challenges into creative, child-led Minecraft sessions to explore sustainability and future-focused problem-solving.</i></p><p dir="ltr"><i>Mixed-methods interviews were conducted with teachers to inform delivery. These interviews captured educators’ perceptions of using Minecraft to teach sustainability and engineering, the anticipated benefits and challenges, and how content could be better aligned with curriculum needs. Thematic analysis of qualitative data was published in late 2024 and identified three key areas: (1) </i><b><i>immediate benefits</i></b><i>, including engagement, inclusivity, and accessibility; (2) </i><b><i>anticipated future benefits</i></b><i>, such as improved understanding of sustainability and informed citizenship; and (3) </i><b><i>practical concerns</i></b><i>, including curriculum pressures and technical barriers. Quantitative data highlighted which SDGs educators found most relevant for engaging students, strongly emphasising climate action, responsible consumption, and equitable education. The qualitative data analysis indicated the importance of the creative aspects of the game and real-world relevancy. Exploring engineering and the SDGs in this way was seen as an opportunity to explore topics in depth, improve understanding of sustainability and think about the future of our world.</i><i> </i><i>This information was used to adapt sessions and select topics for each group.</i></p><p dir="ltr"><i>This paper addresses a gap in STEM outreach by explicitly incorporating the SDGs into engineering-focused education for underserved groups. By using Minecraft, a familiar and flexible platform that encourages experimentation and creative expression, students could meaningfully explore abstract concepts such as sustainability through tangible, immersive learning experiences. This practice-based insight offers reflections on the educators' perspectives and incorporates these into engagement delivery, with recommendations for other practitioners.</i></p>