In a remarkable continuation of their successful collaboration, BBC Earth and Minecraft Education are set to launch a new gaming adventure that promises to captivate millions: Building With Dinosaurs. This initiative follows the triumph of the Planet Earth III and Frozen Planet II Minecraft Worlds, further solidifying the partnership’s commitment to engaging learners through interactive experiences.
The Legacy of Dinosaurs in Education
More than twenty-five years ago, the BBC introduced audiences to one of its most cherished series, Walking With Dinosaurs. Now, a fresh wave of enthusiasts can immerse themselves in the thrilling world of prehistoric life, inspired by the latest scientific discoveries. To commemorate the anticipated return of Walking With Dinosaurs in 2025, Minecraft Education and BBC Earth have teamed up to create Building With Dinosaurs. This innovative build challenge invites students to step into the shoes of palaeontologists, where they will excavate dirt and sand to uncover dino-blocks hidden beneath the surface.
Much like the palaeontologists featured in Walking With Dinosaurs, students will construct their knowledge of ancient creatures from the ground up. As they dig and discover dino-blocks that represent various skin types, eyes, and teeth, they will have the opportunity to model three iconic dinosaurs from the series: Spinosaurus, Lusotitan, and Triceratops.
Guided by detailed skeletons, students can unleash their creativity to design unique versions of these magnificent dinosaurs within a virtual museum gallery. As they unearth additional dino-blocks, they will be able to enhance their models with even more intricate details. Once their creations are complete, students can capture stunning photographs of their dinosaur models against a backdrop of immersive environments, perfect for an epic dino photo shoot.
To nurture the curiosity of aspiring palaeontologists, the Building With Dinosaurs challenge comes with a downloadable fact sheet. This resource includes essential information about the three featured dinosaurs, detailing their height, weight, diet, and habitat. Such insights will empower students to construct their models with greater accuracy and depth of understanding.
Kirsty Wilson, showrunner for Walking With Dinosaurs, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “We’re proud to team up with Minecraft Education to give children around the world the chance to interact with iconic dino characters inspired by Walking With Dinosaurs. This interactive classroom gaming experience allows students to step into the world of dinosaurs in a fun and engaging way, learning how these incredible creatures lived and ruled the Earth millions of years ago.”
Justin Edwards, director of Learning Experience at Minecraft Education, echoed this sentiment, noting, “Minecraft Education is delighted to bring this amazing dinosaur experience to students. This world, created in partnership with the BBC Studios Walking With Dinosaurs team, integrates STEM skills into classrooms by fostering a deeper connection with palaeontology and natural history. We know that dinosaur fans are going to love it.”
With Building With Dinosaurs set to launch in schools globally on June 24th, Minecraft Education continues to provide enriching educational content that allows students to explore a diverse range of subjects through creative gameplay. Meanwhile, fans can currently enjoy Walking With Dinosaurs on UK BBC iPlayer and PBS in the United States.
