New Flood-Fighting Game Rivercraft 2 Hits Minecraft – Aims to Educate and Inspire
Rivercraft 2, a brand-new suite of flood risk education games, launched today (25 April). Its mission? To teach kids and teens about flooding dangers and spark interest in careers that make a real difference.
Game-Changing Partnership Brings Flood Lessons to Life
Created by the Environment Agency, Microsoft, and BlockBuilders, Rivercraft 2 is a fresh geography resource for schools. It tackles urgent issues: flood risk, climate change, and protecting nature – all wrapped up in an engaging Minecraft Education Edition format.
The new release builds on last year’s smash hit based on a £54.7 million flood management project in Preston and South Ribble. That original broke ground using AI to map real regions into Minecraft worlds – a first for flood education.
Three Action-Packed Games Teach Flood Defences and Water Smarts
- Nature-Based Solutions: Players restore rivers, build ponds, and help beavers build dams to cut flood risks naturally.
- Farming, Irrigation & Drought: Find the right water balance and crops to withstand drought while protecting wildlife.
- Sustainable Drainage & Water Efficiency: Construct urban drainage systems and cut home water use to fight surface flooding.
The games even feature real-life Environment Agency experts as non-playable characters, like project manager Amelia Russell and water adviser Mark Harvett – guiding players through environmental challenges.
Flushed with Awards and School Praise
Rivercraft 2 is already scooping accolades, shortlisted for top innovation prizes at the Geography in Government Awards and Flood and Coast Excellence Awards 2023. Winners will be announced soon in London and at the Flood and Coast conference.
John Curtin, Environment Agency chief executive, said: “This is an amazing opportunity for young people to learn about flooding, the environment and climate resilience in a really fun and interactive way. We know that climate anxiety is a real issue for young people, so we hope these games not only help to educate but also inspire, by providing them with the skills and knowledge to take action and make a difference.”
“We hope these games drive new interest in science, technology, engineering and maths careers, and introduce the brilliant opportunities at the Environment Agency. Their creativity and talent are very much needed in our race for climate resilience. We can’t wait to see these games excite young people and connect them with their environment in new dynamic ways.”
Janet Ruffhead, head of humanities at Bishop’s Hatfield Girls’ School, said: “The creative animation and competitive element kept students hooked. They loved this new way to learn about climate change impacts, river flooding, and exciting job options. I highly recommend this product.”
A student at Bishop’s Hatfield Girls’ School said: “The games were really fun and I learnt a lot. This is a great way to learn about flooding and climate change.”
The original Rivercraft games reached 27,000 young people and teachers across the UK. With Rivercraft 2, they aim to double that impact nationwide. The games have already featured at the Big Bang Fair – the UK’s biggest STEM event – and the London Science Museum’s 2022 exhibition.
Flood Education Part of Bigger Fight Against Climate Risk
Education is vital in the Environment Agency’s campaign to boost community flood resilience. Since 2015, new defences have better protected 374,000 homes. With a record £5.2 billion investment underway, the Agency is gearing up for more extreme weather and a stronger nation.
Rivercraft 2’s content aligns with the National Geography Curriculum, crafted with expert input and tested in schools. It’s now available across the UK for schools to download and use.
Worried about flooding where you live? Check your flood risk here and sign up for free flood warnings – alerts come via phone, email, or text when rivers or seas threaten your area.
