In a remarkable collaboration, BBC Earth has joined forces with Minecraft Worlds and Minecraft Education to launch an innovative gaming experience titled Building With Dinosaurs, drawing inspiration from the beloved series Walking With Dinosaurs. This engaging build challenge invites players to step into the shoes of paleontologists, where they can excavate dirt and sand to uncover dino-blocks that represent various features such as skin, eyes, and teeth. These elements can then be utilized to construct models of three iconic dinosaurs showcased in the series: Spinosaurus, Lusotitan, and Triceratops.
Engaging Educational Resources
Accompanying the Building With Dinosaurs challenge is a downloadable fact sheet that enriches the experience by providing detailed information about the three featured dinosaurs. This resource includes insights into each dinosaur’s height, weight, diet, and habitat, enhancing the educational value of the game.
Currently, Building With Dinosaurs is accessible to schools around the globe, allowing students to immerse themselves in this unique learning opportunity. The original Walking With Dinosaurs series, which made its triumphant return this year after a 25-year hiatus, can be viewed on BBC iPlayer in the U.K. and on PBS platforms in the U.S., including PBS.org and the PBS app.
“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,” stated Kirsty Wilson, the showrunner of Walking With Dinosaurs. “This interactive classroom gaming experience allows students to dive into the fascinating world of dinosaurs in a fun and engaging manner, learning about how these extraordinary creatures lived and dominated the Earth millions of years ago.”
Justin Edwards, director of learning experience at Minecraft Education, expressed enthusiasm for the project, saying, “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, fostering a deeper connection with the realms of palaeontology and natural history. We are confident that dinosaur enthusiasts will thoroughly enjoy it!”
