CoastCraft

Project Overview

CoastCraft transports students to the coastal town of Bude in North Cornwall, where they explore the challenges of coastal management through immersive gameplay. This educational experience was developed in partnership with the Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs, Environment Agency, Cornwall Council, Making Space for Sand, and the Geographical Association.

Through hands-on activities and mini-games, students learn about coastal resilience, erosion processes, and protection strategies while making real-world connections to environmental science and geography curricula.

Data Visualization & Learning

Coast Craft brings environmental data to life through interactive visualizations that make abstract concepts concrete:

Students analyse coastal data through immersive 3D bar charts, understanding erosion rates and protection effectiveness

Interactive scoring stations provide immediate feedback on management decisions and their environmental impact

Explore real careers in coastal management, from marine biologists to civil engineers, inspiring future environmentalists

Dynamic Environmental Simulation

Experience the power of nature and the importance of coastal protection through dramatic simulations:

Witness powerful cutscenes demonstrating coastal undercutting and erosion processes in real-time

See the devastating effects of unchecked erosion as land recedes into the sea, highlighting urgency of action

Experience the construction and effectiveness of seawalls through cinematic sequences

Main Game & Mini-Games

CoastCraft features a main coastal management game plus two focused mini-games that reinforce key concepts:

Mini-game 2: Protecting the Embryo Dunes - Build and maintain natural coastal defences

Clear sand from vital infrastructure while learning about sediment transport and management

Mini-game 1: Storm Tower - Monitor approaching storms and make critical protection decisions

Coastal Community Management

Take charge of a thriving coastal town and guide its sustainable development:

Manage a complete coastal community, balancing development, protection, and environmental conservation in this comprehensive simulation

Educational Impact

Coast Craft delivers measurable learning outcomes aligned with environmental science curricula:

• Understanding of coastal processes and erosion mechanisms
• Knowledge of various coastal protection strategies and their trade-offs
• Appreciation for sustainable development principles
• Critical thinking about environmental decision-making
• Data analysis and interpretation skills
• Career awareness in environmental sciences

Key Features

• Real-time erosion simulation showing immediate environmental impacts
• Multiple protection strategies to test and compare
• Career exploration in coastal management fields
• Data visualization tools for understanding environmental metrics
• Cinematic cutscenes explaining complex processes
• Hands-on challenges reinforcing theoretical concepts
• Complete town management simulation
• Teacher resources and assessment tools

Implementation Flexibility

Designed for versatile classroom use, Coast Craft adapts to various teaching approaches: