A bridge over the river Ribble in Preston Credit: Microsoft
The Environment Agency revealed a replica of Preston, Lancashire, as rendered by Minecraft.
The Rivercraft world was created from open-source 3D imagery as part of the Education Edition video game. The Minecraft version of Preston was created as the city and the surrounding region work on the implementation a 54.7m flood defense scheme. This scheme is expected to be completed next summer.
The program aims to provide greater protection for 4,700 homes, and businesses in an area that has been subject to flooding multiple times in recent decades, most recently in February 2020.
Rivercraft’s three-part game allows schoolchildren to design their own flood defences in the Preston and South Ribble areas. The second game allows players to examine how individual actions can mitigate climate change and how understanding flood risks can reduce the damage to property. The third game allows them to conduct an ecological survey to identify and record some of our most beloved wildlife species, including water voles, otters and other water voles, according to the Environment Agency.
The game has been used in lessons at Archbishop Temple School, Fulwood, north Preston.
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Helen McLean, the head of schools computer, stated that Minecraft is so popular that it’s easy to teach children.
It’s great that they can make mistakes, even in Minecraft, because that’s how they learn, she said in a story published in part by Microsoft, Minecraft’s parent company. It’s wonderful to see them build flood defenses. Flooding is a common occurrence in this area. There was a devastating flood just a few years back. I know people who saw their houses being submerged in water. Some lost their businesses. And roads turned into huge rivers. Flooding is becoming a more serious problem in our area.
Andy Brown, flood risk manager at the Environment Agency said that this is an incredible opportunity for students. It is also a project we are proud of being a part. Not only will they learn about the UK’s major flooding scheme, but they will also learn more about climate change and the environment. They will also learn about the different careers available in engineering, science, and mathematics. The Environment Agency has many brilliant career opportunities for the next generation. This is essential if we are going to deliver our critical flood and coastal defense projects. This includes the Preston and South Ribble Scheme which will reduce flood risk for 4,700 homes and businesses.
BlockBuilders of Brighton, which specializes in creating Minecraft worlds for education purposes, created the Preston world.
