Esports students pitch innovative Minecraft solution at regional sustainability challenge

A pair of Esports students showcased their creativity and problem-solving skills at a regional sustainability innovation challenge.

Edward Gleadall and Leo Hibberd represented Barnsley College at the inaugural Sustainability Action: Student Innovation Challenge, held at Wakefield College, where students from five Yorkshire colleges were tasked with developing solutions to real-world sustainability issues.

The challenge required students to identify a local, national or global issue and propose an innovative solution aligned to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Edward and Leo focused on the lack of climate and sustainability education in primary and secondary schools. In response, they developed a proposal to support teachers to use a suite of resources created in Minecraft Education as an engaging and familiar tool to introduce younger learners to sustainability concepts.

Edward said: “It was a really good experience and being able to propose an idea about teaching sustainability which can help young people out was fun – but I was quite nervous.

“It was great to take part in such a meaningful event that can help future generations.”

Leo saw first-hand the impacts of climate change on a recent trip to Sri Lanka. He added: “I really enjoyed the event. It was interesting to hear everyone’s ideas and see how they want to make a difference to sustainability in the UK and around the world.”

The pair confidently presented their proposal to a panel of judges, made up of Alex Miles FIEP, Managing Director of Yorkshire Learning Providers, alongside Dr Lou Mycroft FRSA, Phillip Easley and Steve Frampton MBE – who sponsored the event and supplied participants with prizes including books and rare sustainably-source minerals.

Alex Miles said: “It was an honour to be a judge alongside Dr Lou Mycroft FRSA, Phillip Easley and Steve Frampton for the challenge, and meeting the students, hearing their ideas and plans for bringing their challenges to life. It was an incredibly difficult competition to judge, as all the students smashed it and were amazing.”

The event provided students with the opportunity to develop practical solutions while building confidence, teamwork and presentation skills – all key attributes for future careers.