The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), in partnership with esteemed global construction consultancies WSP and Gleeds, along with the Project Data Analytics Task Force, has embarked on an innovative educational journey aimed at primary school students. This initiative introduces young learners to the realms of quantity surveying, project management, and digital innovation, all through the engaging platform of Minecraft Education.
Engaging Young Minds
At the heart of this initiative is the Portway School in Plaistow, London, where an after-school club was established for 24 Year 5 students. The programme, aptly named “Greening Our Cities,” invited these children to delve into the concepts of urban sustainability and professional skills via an immersive digital challenge. By leveraging a familiar and beloved platform, the initiative transforms complex ideas such as sustainability and urban planning into accessible and engaging experiences for the young minds.
Following the RIBA Plan of Work, students were guided through a professional framework that allowed them to plan and execute their Minecraft projects. Working collaboratively, the children conducted stakeholder interviews within their virtual worlds and developed mind maps to strategize their urban designs, fostering teamwork and critical thinking.
Supported by WSP and Gleeds, who generously provided Minecraft Education licenses, the programme culminated in a competitive showcase where teams presented their innovative sustainable city concepts. An awards ceremony held at the RICS Headquarters in London on January 20, 2025, celebrated the achievements of the participants. The top three teams—The MCH City, The Dragon Flares, and The Wardernised Crystal Clear Creator—were awarded book vouchers in recognition of their hard work and creativity.
Mackyla Palmer-Logue, early engagement coordinator at RICS, expressed her enthusiasm for working with the students, stating, “Through the ‘Greening Our Cities’ after-school club, students designed sustainable urban environments using real-world industry principles. Their creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving skills flourished, introducing them to surveying, project management, and digital innovation while also developing invaluable professional skills. Seeing their confidence grow, culminating in a fantastic awards ceremony at RICS HQ, reinforced the importance of early industry engagement and inspired future opportunities for young learners.”
James Garner, head of data, insights and analytics at Gleeds, shared his delight in witnessing the children’s enthusiasm: “It was fantastic to see the children enthusiastically get involved with the programme and how Minecraft was used to educate young people about the built environment industry. Gleeds is proud to have supported this initiative, and I look forward to seeing how it progresses.”
Adam Bradley, programme solutions group director at WSP, also commended the students’ dedication, noting their impressive learning about sustainable design and the various careers within quantity surveying. This collaborative effort not only nurtures the next generation of built environment professionals but also addresses the pressing skills gap in the construction industry.
