A notable collaboration has emerged between the creators of Minecraft, Cadw, the Welsh historic monuments body, and Ysgol Pennant in Powys, aiming to enrich the educational landscape for children across Wales. This partnership has birthed a bilingual version of the beloved game, which will be offered free of charge to all schools in Wales. The initiative seeks to engage young learners with the rich tapestry of Welsh history through an interactive medium.
The first historic site to be integrated into this innovative project is the majestic Conwy Castle, a structure steeped in history since the 13th Century. Over the next 18 months, an additional 19 historic sites are set to be introduced, allowing students to explore and learn about their heritage in a dynamic way.
Gwilym Hughes, the head of Cadw, expressed enthusiasm for the project, stating, “It really does bring those things together – the excitement of the game but also the excitement of understanding and learning about our past.”
In a significant milestone, this version of Minecraft will be available entirely in Welsh for the first time. Manon Jones, a teacher at Ysgol Pennant who played a pivotal role in the translation process, shared her excitement about the initiative. She noted, “We’ve been using Minecraft in the school in different subjects, such as history, language and the children really enjoy using it. It’s a fun, immersive way to learn about a range of different things.” The development of the Welsh language version has been particularly thrilling for her, as it not only makes the game accessible in their first language but also breathes life into the historical sites of Wales.
Students at Ysgol Pennant were among the first to experience the new game, and their enthusiasm was palpable. Having gained insights about Conwy Castle through Minecraft, they were invited to visit the castle for the official launch of the game. Enfys, one of the pupils, remarked, “It’s very nice that we can help them to see if the game works and it’s nice that it’s in Welsh as well.” Her classmate Sienna added, “It’s amazing and really fun. Some children don’t really talk English and it can help a lot with their education and it can also help the people that are learning Welsh.”
Related topics
- Wales
- Minecraft
- Conwy
