ABSTRACT COMPILATION - EduGC 2025

10 / 87 ABSTRACT: This portfolio presents a coding-based environmental education project developed using Minecraft: Education Edition, designed to engage students aged 10-15 in learning fundamental programming skills and marine conservation through immersive, challenge-based gameplay. By incorporating real-world sustainability themes into student-led exploration, the main objective is to make coding more approachable and meaningful, building on studies demonstrating that game-based learning enhances STEM engagement (Clark et al., 2016). Two modules have been put into place: one examines sustainable fishing, while the other focuses on trash collection and recycling. Both modules use excellent practices for teaching computational thinking by requiring students to engage with an in-game non-player character (NPC) that offers a MakeCode Share link (Brennan & Resnick, 2012). The students copy the code into Code Builder and run it to initiate the agent’s mission, following a workflow that encourages algorithmic thinking (Grover & Pea, 2013). In addition to addressing several Sustainable Development Goals, such as SDG 4 (Quality Education) through the development of digital literacy, SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) through waste management simulations, and SDG 14 (Life Below Water) through marine conservation scenarios, this approach is consistent with constructionist learning theories that emphasize learning-by-making. Furthermore, by using motivating design concepts, a third module is graphically featured as a locked teaser in the game environment to promote replay ability and continuous learning (Keller, 1987). This initiative is a scalable and important approach to digital education since it uses curriculum-aligned content and accessible tools, especially for underdeveloped nations where Minecraft is becoming more and more popular in classrooms (UNESCO, 2021).