Coastcraft goes live - learn about coastal processes and adaptation through a Mincraft world based on Bude!

CoastCraft launch – explore coastal resilience through a Minecraft world based on Bude!

What is CoastCraft?

CoastCraft is an educational game designed for students aged 9-14 (in England – Upper Primary Key stage 2 and lower secondary key stage 3). This game transports players to the coastal town of Bude in North Cornwall, modelled in MinecraftEducation™ by BlockBuilders. Playing CoastCraft introduces students to the dynamic processes of shaping coastal areas and challenges them to make decisions that balance the needs of various stakeholders while protecting the environment.

Who developed CoastCraft?

Based on the landscape of the town of Bude in Cornwall, the game has been developed in partnership by Minecraft Education, Cornwall Council and the Environment Agency as part of the latter’s £200m Flood and Coastal Innovation Programme.

Is CoastCraft part of the Future Coast Bude project?

Although CoastCraft is based in Bude, it is not part of the Future Coast Bude project. It is funded though Making Space for Sand. This is another project led by Cornwall Council and funded through the Defra Flood and Coastal Innovation Programme. This project covers a number of sites across Cornwall.

The aim of the Making Space for Sand Project is to encourage the more sustainable use and development of the coastal fringe to allow for a more natural, ecosystem approach to coastal management where traditional coastal protection is not possible. To find out more about Making Space for Sand visit their website: Home Page - Making Space for sand

CoastCraft is based on the sand dunes at Summerleaze beach. Does the game affect what is planned for the future of Summerleaze?

No. However, the game is based on real life modelling and shows the actual impacts that different decisions will have on the local area. The aim of CoastCraft is to give young people around the world the opportunity to understand more about coastal processes and what the competing needs are of a range of stakeholders.

CoastCraft places students onto Summerleaze in the present day. The game introduces the processes which are currently shaping the area, and provides the player with an opportunity to make important decisions while developing coastal resilience in the local community.

The Future Coast Bude project will be working with the community in Bude to plan for what their vision is for the coastline in Bude in the future. This will be done by working closely with the community to understand what is most important to them, and how a range of pressures and interests (just like in the game) can be balanced in the future, in the face of rising sea levels and coastal erosion.

How were Budehaven School involved in the project?

Students in Years 7 and 8 at Budehaven School were given the opportunity to play the game in advance of the launch. They were filmed playing the game and interviewed about how they found it. This footage was developed in a short film which is being used to promote CoastCraft.

CoastCraft was launched on 3 October and young people from Budehaven school were also involved in the launch.

How can I play CoastCraft?

CoastCraft can be played on the Minecraft™: Education Edition. It can be downloaded free and installed on many different types of device. You will need a Microsoft 365 account and you will need to search for “CoastCraft” in the Library.