Elements at play: increasing awareness of natural hazards and their impact on the territory through game-based learning
Project Title: Elements at play: increasing awareness of natural hazards and their impact on the territory through game-based learning
Project duration: March 2024 - December 2024
Funding body: University of Florence - Call “UNIFI EXTRA 2024”
Allocated funding: €7,000
Principal Investigator: Prof. Emanuele Intrieri
With the aim of enhancing the actions of the University in collaboration with the community for the social, cultural, and economic development of the territory, the UNIFI EXTRA 2024 call for proposals has approved some Public Engagement projects, including the project of the Department of Earth Sciences (DST) "Elements at play: increasing awareness of natural hazards and their impact on the territory through game-based learning" coordinated by Prof. Emanuele Intrieri.
The project aims to disseminate scientific knowledge of geological hazards and their mitigation through the development and printing of educational game material. Through game-based learning, a board game will be created aimed at students from schools, universities, and adults. Players, assuming key roles in the management of a fictional territory but inspired by real situations, face different natural hazards and the needs of the community. The game stimulates active participation to learn more effectively the scientific topics addressed and stems from DST research and the experience of the Civil Protection Center of the University of Florence; it draws on the University's Library of Sciences and the Municipal Library Network of Florence for dissemination, providing the necessary spaces and advertising to carry out outreach events, while ATTOUNO A.P.S., which includes theatrical actors, will contribute to stimulating reflection on the emerging themes, allowing to leave a trace of the entire path. The high schools Alberti Dante and Pascoli will also be involved, where dedicated sessions will be held.
The project also involves active participation of the university student community who will playtest to provide feedback to improve the game. Players will be actively involved in all phases of the game, from participant presentations, to testing proposed themes, through individual and small group arguments and reflections with the debate method. The project includes the printing of prototype boardgame material and, following feedback, of the final material to be disseminated. In parallel, the project will aim to finance the production of additional educational game material to convey the same concepts even in more expedient contexts and in support of the numerous public engagement activities regularly attended by the proposers. Resources will also be used to manage the graphic part and to advertise the organized events.
Last update
29.03.2024