SLU researchers are using gamification to pass on their knowledge about sustainable food production.
KliMat-spelet (the Climate Game) is a science-based computer game aimed at secondary and upper secondary students. By being faced with various dilemmas, the students gain an understanding of how their life choices affect society’s food production, the climate, our ecosystems, biodiversity and the country’s ability to be self-sufficient.
“The game highlights several important social objectives, as well as the conflicts that arise between them. Food affects everyone, and our food choices have a major impact on both our degree of self-sufficiency and our environmental goals,” says Christina Lundström, researcher at the Comp
In the game, the students are given the opportunity to influence both consumers and producers, as well as the objectives and conflicts that arise as a result of their choices.
“We need to increase knowledge about how Swedish food production affects the climate and biodiversity. Many young people do not live in the locations where their food is produced, so there is no natural contact with various producers. We believe and hope that the design of the game will help the students to understand the perspectives of different individuals,” explains Christina.
The game is an example of a ‘serious game’ and should be able to be played either in the classroom or as homework, although always under the supervision of a teacher.
“The students need to be given the opportunity discuss the results with each other and with a teacher.”
Despite the rapid advancements within digitalisation, using computer games in teaching is fairly unusual. A survey conducted by SLU shows that 74 per cent of teachers have not yet used digital educational games in their teaching.
“We wanted to try out a new approach that was adapted to the target group, and a little more innovative than conventional teaching. Reading about complex interactions can be difficult, and this topic becomes much more dynamic in a game,” says Christina.
The content is adapted to syllabuses within science, biology and geography at upper secondary school, as well as within biology, geography and home economics at secondary school.
KliMat-spelet was very positively received when it was launched during the book fair in Gothenburg.
Are you interested in trying out the game? You can play KliMat-spelet free of charge at www.klimatspelet.se
Researchers from the Department of People and Society and the Department of Applied Animal Science and Welfare in Skara are responsible for the basic concept and the background facts. SLU Holding has been involved since early on in the project and has financed aspects of it with VFT funds. In addition to the researchers and SLU Holding, WWF Youth, Church of Sweden Youth, 4H, Sverok, Swedish Center for School Biology, NTA Skolutveckling and the University of Skövde have all been involved in the project group. The funding comes from the Swedish Inheritance Fund, the Västra Götaland Regional Council, the Formas Swedish Research Council and SLU. The game has been developed by IUS Innovation.
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