EnerCities - Stimulate energy awareness of youngsters with online serious gaming

Project EnerCities created an online elearning game for young people to experience energy-related implications. The goal of the game is to create and expand virtual cities dealing with pollution, energy shortages, renewable energy etc. The game is web-based and suitable to play on low-budget computers.

Summary

Project EnerCities created an online elearning game for young people to experience energy-related implications. The goal of the game is to create and expand virtual cities dealing with pollution, energy shortages, renewable energy etc. The game is web-based and suitable to play on low-budget computers, including a Facebook version.

The game and related education programmes is rolled out in various European countries. Thousands of students from more than 110 schools across Europe have played EnerCities. Additionally, the EnerCities game was also available on Facebook and played substantially. To reach and inspire schools and students about EnerCities, the project organised 6 regional events, 4 game-competitions, 1 community platform, and 1 final conference.

The project has made students aware of the role and implications of energy in our society and energy saving on household level. Specific research indicated higher levels of attitudes (and behaviour intentions) of the EnerCities players regarding energy saving at home in comparison with control group (non-EnerCities players). For more information: see published papers / articles.

EnerCities was awarded the title of “Best Learning Game 2010” by the European platform “ENGAGE Quality Awards”; this platform “recognise[s] excellent contributions from teachers, educational practitioners, game developers and producers to the quality of game-based learning”. In addition, the Dutch game industry awarded EnerCities with the title “Best Online Game 2010”.

The EnerCities project started in September 2009 and ended in August 2011. The online EnerCities game and related educational materials will be freely available for schools to be used the coming years. Additionally, new activities are and will be launched to make the EnerCities game available in more languages.

Schools across Europe have indicated to use EnerCities in their curriculum for the coming years. Organisations have expressed their interests to have EnerCities in more languages. A European 'Transfer of Innovation' project will use EnerCities as a best practise regarding the usage of serious gaming in the classroom. The EnerCities Foundation will support the availability of the EnerCities game and its related education materials for the coming years and will act as contact organisation for questions and inquiries.

Project EnerCities was co-funded by the European Commission programme Intelligent Energy - Europe (programme area: Intelligent energy education initiative).

Related Information on the Regions 202020 Website:

• Sustainable Energy Theme(s): Education and Training

Last updated: 09/12/2011 3:42pm - Contact: Katy HALL - Email