Class Information
- Grades: 8–12 (students must be 13 or older to participate in this class)
- Lesson timeframe: 3–6 class periods, depending on student familiarity with Fortnite Creative
- Featured tool: Fortnite Creative
- Class / learning environment: A Fortnite-capable device with a one-to-one device-to-student ratio, and with internet connectivity. A computer lab or mobile laptop cart should provide the ideal environment.
Lesson Overview
This challenge relates to Sustainable Development Goal 1: No Poverty.
Welcome to a ground-breaking Fortnite creative lesson that bridges the virtual world with real-world impact!
Embark on a journey to tackle one of the most critical global challenges: poverty and the lack of affordable and sustainable housing. Sustainable Development Goal 1 (SDG 1) aims to eradicate poverty in all its forms and dimensions, ensuring that no one is left behind.
This lesson experience centers on creating a thriving and inclusive community, where students will build the Sustainable Stacks village on the Greasy Grove template Island.
In line with SDG 1 and its relevant targets, the mission is two-fold:
To provide a solution for affordable and sustainable housing to address the needs of the unhoused. By designing and constructing the Sustainable Stacks village, the aim is to create a safe and welcoming haven for those in need, fostering a sense of security and belonging. The village will serve as accommodations for the diligent workers supporting the various businesses in the area. Through innovative design and the use of shipping container-styled dwellings, this project will demonstrate how cost-effective and eco-friendly solutions can reshape the way to approach housing and combat poverty.
As you embark on this creative endeavor, keep in mind the transformative power to make a tangible difference in the lives of others and leave a lasting mark on the path toward a more sustainable and equitable future.
Let the construction of the Sustainable Stacks begin!
In this lesson, students will build the Sustainable Stacks, an affordable and sustainable housing village made of containers, 3x1x1 or 4x1x1 in size.
They’ll use editing skills to create doors and windows while adding stairs, greenery, and other assets to make this a desirable community for the hard-working citizens of Greasy Grove.
Rationale
In today's world, the challenge of affordable housing and the growing issue of homelessness have reached critical levels, underscoring the urgent need for innovative solutions.
According to the United Nations, an estimated 1.8 billion people are living in inadequate housing conditions globally, with 150 million people homeless. As the world's population continues to expand, the projected growth of the unhoused population demands immediate action. By 2030, the world is expected to witness an increase in urbanization, with two-thirds of the global population residing in cities.
Such rapid urbanization creates pressing demands for accessible and affordable housing options, especially for vulnerable communities.
To address these challenges and align with the SDG #1 mission to eradicate poverty, shipping container homes emerge as a promising solution. Shipping containers, once utilized solely for transporting goods, present a versatile and cost-effective alternative for housing.
According to the World Green Building Council, transforming shipping containers into dwellings can be 20–40 percent more affordable compared to traditional construction methods. Additionally, repurposing these containers reduces their environmental impact, promoting sustainability and aligning with the SDG 11 objective of creating sustainable cities and communities. Shipping container homes offer a customizable and efficient approach to meeting housing needs, providing insulated, secure, and easily deployable living spaces.
As you delve into building the Sustainable Stacks village, recognize the tremendous potential of this innovative solution, not only for SDG 1 and SDG 11, but also for the future of humanity.
By embracing creativity and sustainable practices, you can build a brighter, more inclusive world where affordable housing becomes a reality for all.
To address these challenges and align with SDG 1's mission to eradicate poverty, shipping container homes emerge as a promising solution. Shipping containers, once utilized solely for transporting goods, present a versatile and cost-effective alternative for housing. According to the World Green Building Council, transforming shipping containers into dwellings can be 20–40 percent more affordable compared to traditional construction methods. Additionally, repurposing these containers reduces the environmental impact, promoting sustainability and aligning with SDG 11's objective of creating sustainable cities and communities. Shipping container homes offer a customizable and efficient approach to meeting housing needs, providing insulated, secure, and easily deployable living spaces. As we delve into building the Sustainable Stacks village, let us recognize the tremendous potential of this innovative solution, not only for SDG 1 and SDG 11 but also for the future of humanity. By embracing creativity and sustainable practices, we can build a brighter, more inclusive world where affordable housing becomes a reality for all.
This lesson asks students to consider the following:
- How can we design and construct the Sustainable Stacks village to best meet the housing needs of workers and the unhoused in Greasy Grove? This question prompts students to consider the specific requirements and preferences of the workers and unhoused population in the area. They will explore different design elements, amenities, and community spaces that can foster a sense of belonging and address the needs of diverse residents.
- How do shipping container homes contribute to affordability and sustainability in housing solutions? This question encourages students to conduct research on the advantages of using shipping containers as a building material for affordable and sustainable housing. They will investigate cost-effective construction methods, environmental benefits, and the potential for creating resilient communities.
- What innovative and eco-friendly features can we incorporate into the Sustainable Stacks village to promote sustainable living? This question invites students to brainstorm and research various eco-friendly technologies and practices they can integrate into the village's design. They will explore renewable energy sources, waste management systems, and other sustainable features to make the community more self-sufficient and environmentally responsible.
- How can we ensure the Sustainable Stacks village adheres to principles of inclusivity and accessibility? This question emphasizes the importance of creating an inclusive community that caters to the needs of all residents. Students will examine ways to make the village accessible to people of all abilities and socioeconomic backgrounds, fostering a sense of community and social cohesion.
- How can we effectively communicate the vision and impact of the Sustainable Stacks project to raise awareness and inspire action on affordable and sustainable housing? This question challenges students to think about their presentation strategy and how they can effectively convey the significance of their project to a broader audience. They will explore ways to use visuals, data, and storytelling to communicate the project's impact on SDG 1 and SDG 11, as well as its potential for inspiring positive change in housing practices. As an instructor, you can learn more about this lesson by watching the video below.
Learning Goals and Outcomes
Students will create an affordable and sustainable housing solution using Fortnite Creative. In the process, they will:
- Learn about Sustainable Development Goal 1: No Poverty.
- Apply a design-thinking model to create a simple solution to a complex problem.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the need for balanced physical and mental wellness with relaxation.
- Plan, engineer, demonstrate, and share their solution in Fortnite Creative.
Learning outcomes for the lesson include:
- Design and build a sustainable village using shipping containers to house workers and provide affordable homes for those in need.
- Explain how shipping container homes contribute to making housing solutions more affordable and environmentally friendly.
- Identify innovative and eco-friendly features to make the Sustainable Stacks village more sustainable and self-sufficient.
- Understand the importance of creating an inclusive and accessible community that welcomes people from diverse backgrounds.
- Effectively present the vision and impact of the Sustainable Stacks project to inspire others to take action on affordable and sustainable housing.
Activities
Introduce Students to SDG #1
Show the following videos to create excitement about what's possible. These can be shown at different points throughout the project.
-
We The People for the Global Goals featuring global celebrities
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Description: Los Angeles Shipping Container Village Housing the Homeless. The project is located on a 4.2 acre site, a former parking lot that was slated to become a staging area for the construction of a new jail near downtown Los Angeles
Description: Come along with me, Larry Lane, A.I.A., while I point out some architectural highlights of an office/retail complex built with around 40 shipping containers in Fort Worth, Texas.
Description: Shipping Container Apartments — Bute Street Containers in Cardiff. The use of shipping containers to construct multi-storey affordable housing is becoming increasingly common in major cities globally.
- SDG 1 Student Video
Brainstorming and Planning a Solution
Begin the planning and brainstorming process for the islands.
Students can do this using the student handout and a pen or pencil and paper to sketch out what their island would look like.
- Review Sustainable Development Goal 1: No Poverty.
- Brainstorm a list of assets that can be added to the Sustainable Stacks to make the community more inclusive and accessible.
- Brainstorm possible engineering methods to provide innovative solutions.
- Have students state the exact problem to be solved in their own words.
- Discuss the iterative design process.
- Have students use the Sustainable Stacks Student Handout to help plan their Sustainable Stacks village based on the points above.
Consider including stairs, greenery, air conditioning, community gathering areas, and inclusive and accessible bonuses using prefabs.
These prefabs can be found under the Creative Contents tab in the Prefabs category.
Feel free to landscape the island by removing trees and planting them elsewhere if needed.
Always attempt to balance nature and safety with the best solutions possible.
[/REGIONExploration and Knowledge Application with Fortnite Creative
Now that students have done some planning and brainstorming, it’s time to put that plan into action!
Students who are unfamiliar with Fortnite Creative can review the pages under Starting Out in Fortnite Creative.
Also use the Fortnite Creative Glossary for definitions of terms.
- Students should begin building their Sustainable Stacks solution in Fortnite Creative using the Greasy Grove Island found under Starter Islands.
- Students should consider a mix of natural and artificial assets, with safety, affordability, inclusivity, accessibility, and sustainability being the main goals.
- They can use any and all of the building tools — prefabs, galleries, devices, and more — found under the Creative Content tab.
- Every few class periods, ask students to reflect on their work and compare it to their initial brainstorming and planning ideas. Introduce the idea of iterative design to help think about the new ideas and changes they are making to their islands.
Alternative Activity: Unreal Editor for Fortnite
It is possible to take student solutions to another level of detail and skill. Unreal Editor for Fortnite allows students to use industry-standard tools to build their Fortnite Creative solutions while adding assets far beyond the traditional Fortnite Creative prefabs. Using this new and innovative approach will help to prepare students for a career in gaming and media production, and it requires only 1–2 hours extra to learn the required skills. Here is a series of resources that can help students take advantage of this opportunity.
- Launching Unreal Editor for Fortnite
- Your First Hour In UEFN
- Project Organization
- Island Settings
- Grid Snapping **](Creator School UEFN](https://school.cleverlike.com/)
Show Off Your Work!
It’s time for students to share their work with the class and online, if they choose.
- Create a video walkthrough or an image-capture slide deck to show your island to the class.
- Have students reflect on some ways that they can help with this specific sustainable development goal through their daily actions. What careers and career skills are important for this growing concern?
- Publish videos, image captures, or other demonstrations on social media or another school-approved platform such as Microsoft Flipgrid.
Consider using the following hashtags on Twitter (“X”) and Instagram to help promote and share your island: #EpicGames #FortniteCreative #EpicSDGs #TeachSDGs
Downloadable Teaching Materials
You can download the following printable PDF documents for lesson support:
- A PDF version of this lesson plan
- A student handout for students
- A rubric for grading student projects
Accessibility and Accommodations
Fortnite offers adjustable settings to meet various accessibility needs:
- Color-Blindness Support: There are extensive color-blindness settings that can be toggled on or off at any time. To find these settings, navigate to Game Menu > Settings > Video > Graphics.
- Visualize Sound Effects: This setting turns on the visual radial indicator for sounds, such as other player steps, the direction of gunfire, or nearby treasure chest audio. To find this setting, navigate to Game Menu > Settings >Audio > Sound.
- Keyboard Remapping: Under Keyboard Controls, you can reassign keys on the keyboard for various controls.
- Controller Support: If students prefer to use a wired or wireless controller, they can change the controller mapping under Wireless Controller.
- Xbox Adaptive Controller: On PC or Xbox, students can also use the Xbox Adaptive Controller, if needed.
Standards Mapping
Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
- NGSS Standard: 3-5-ETS1 Engineering Design Students will engage in the engineering design process as they plan and construct the Sustainable Stacks village. They will defi sustainability, generate design solutions, and optimize their designs based on criteria such as cost, environmental impact, and usability.
- NGSS Standard: 3-5-ETS1-3 Engineering Design In designing the Sustainable Stacks village, students will analyze data from various sources to inform their decisions. They will use information about the benefits of using shipping containers as building materials and the principles of sustainable development to construct a rationale for their design choices.
- NGSS Standard: 3-5-ETS1-2 Engineering Design As students develop the Sustainable Stacks village, they will explore and iteratively test different designs to achieve affordable and sustainable housing solutions. They will use digital tools to create prototypes, experiment with modifications, and optimize the functionality of the village.
- NGSS Standard: 3-5-ETS1-1 Engineering Design Throughout the lesson, students will define the criteria and constraints for the Sustainable Stacks project, considering factors such as available space, resource limitations, and the needs of the community. They will use computational thinking skills to identify possible solutions and evaluate their feasibility.
- NGSS Standard: K-2-ETS1-3 Engineering Design When presenting the vision and impact of the Sustainable Stacks project, students will employ creative communication strategies to share their ideas effectively. They will use multimedia tools to communicate the importance of affordable and sustainable housing in achieving SDG 1 and SDG 11, showcasing their understanding of the role engineering plays in addressing real-world challenges.
ISTE Standards for Students Connections
- ISTE Standard: Empowered Learner Students will use technology to design and build the Sustainable Stacks village, demonstrating their creative problem-solving skills and taking ownership of their learning process. They will leverage technology tools and resources to explore sustainable design principles and innovative housing solutions, fostering a sense of empowerment and agency in addressing real-world challenges.
- ISTE Standard: Knowledge Constructor Students will conduct research on affordable and sustainable housing, analyzing data, and gathering information to inform their design choices. They will critically evaluate the advantages of using shipping containers as building materials, construct a well-informed rationale for their design decisions, and construct knowledge that aligns with sustainable development principles.
- ISTE Standard: Innovative Designer In designing the Sustainable Stacks village, students will think creatively, embracing innovation and exploring novel ways to create a thriving and eco-friendly community. They will utilize digital tools and technology to prototype and visualize their ideas, iterating on designs to optimize efficiency and sustainability.
- ISTE Standard: Computational Thinker Throughout the lesson, students will use computational thinking skills to plan, organize, and implement the construction of the Sustainable Stacks village. They will break down complex problems, consider various factors that influence housing affordability and sustainability, and use logical reasoning to develop well-structured solutions.
- ISTE Standard: Creative Communicator As students present their vision and impact of the Sustainable Stacks project, they will employ creative communication strategies to effectively convey their ideas. They will use multimedia tools to design visually appealing and compelling presentations, effectively articulating the importance of affordable and sustainable housing in achieving SDG 1 and SDG 11.
Global Competencies
Creativity, Critical Thinking, Citizenship, and Communication (Optional Collaboration)
Author Contact
This lesson plan was developed by educator Benjamin Kelly from Anglophone East School District. Find Ben at:
- Email [email protected]
- Twitter @BBTNB
- LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-kelly-a2366154/ )