Serious Games for Natural Resource Management

"<< Background >>The NATURE project was initiated in response to the challenges identified by the project partner group in the area of education for natural resource management. Addressing the lack of up-to-date knowledge and promoting understanding of environmental issues in business projects is fundamental to sustainable resource management. The project is a response to the need to raise awareness of the need to mitigate climate change, preserve the natural environment and the quality of life of present and future generations. Educational initiatives that prepare young professionals to become responsible, active adults in environmental sustainability in all aspects of life in industry and communities are an important part of the process. Teaching such skills ensures that students and young professionals remain relevant in their fields and act responsibly in their communities. << Objectives >>The aim of the project was to provide students and teachers at universities with digital technologies and methods that contribute to the quality of education in the field of natural resource management. To achieve the impact of the project, important steps of the project were the definition of a common framework for the development of a game-based learning methodology for environmental education through exploration, collaboration and experimentation, the development of a serious game that can be used in the study process of environmental management, and the involvement of students in scenarios related to the responsible use of natural resources inspired by real life. Another important goal that led to the successful implementation of the project concept and tangible results was the provision of supporting content for teachers in the form of learning activities, videos and a reference manual that facilitates the integration of the project results into teaching practice.<< Implementation >>To achieve the project outcomes, the consortium developed and implemented a series of activities: a multinational research to identify and map the existing situation in natural resources management in project countries and in European space, the analysis and comparison of ""Environmental Education"" experiences in all partner countries in relation to digital technologies and methods that contribute to the quality of education in the field of natural resource management; the analysis of current trends in the use of games in environmental education, which led to the definition of a common framework for the development of a game-based learning methodology for natural resources management . The educational technology team defined the learning scenarios and learning design and technology team developed NATURE serious game for students that promotes learning by doing through experimentation in the context of digital learning game. In the final phase of the project the NATURE learning intervention was validated in practice through piloting activities with higher education students in in Latvia, Greece, Portugal, Spain, Estonia and Italy. These evaluation activities in diverse academic, cultural, and economic environments ensured the European relevance of results. For project results dissemination and target group involvement in further use of project results multiplier events were organized in all project countries.<< Results >>The consortium implemented the project's action plan and achieved the following final results.- The report 'An experiential, methodological learning framework for building awareness, knowledge and skills on responsible natural resources management'. The framework is based on ananalysis of stakeholder groups that stand to gain directly or indirectly from project activities on environmental education' and can be used as a reference tool for teachers who want to update their curricula based on the report's findings.- A NATURE digital learning game and educational activities ( learning scenarios and maps inspired by real-world challenges) on responsible natural resources management training, consisting of a set of deliverables, such as 3D learning scenarios, encyclopedia, training videos - Instructor support content in form of learning sheets for educators facilitating the adoption the proposed experiential learning design for environmental education and reference material supporting educators in theuse of the NATURE learning game and inspiring them for creating their own learning activities."