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 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
We’ve seen how games can change classrooms and communities for the better. Can they really help all of humanity thrive? The United Nations has 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) consisting of must-reach targets for the year 2030. These SDGs were specifically crafted with the purpose of supporting continued comfortable human life on Earth.
In this lesson, students will explore the concept of the urban heat island (UHI) effect and its impact on cities, with a specific focus on Tilted Towers in Fortnite Creative.
They will learn about the causes and consequences of the urban heat island effect, as well as the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets 11.3 and 11.6, which emphasize inclusive and sustainable urbanization and environmental impact reduction.
Students will analyze the existing design of Tilted Towers and work independently or collaboratively to develop innovative solutions to mitigate the urban heat island effect and create a more comfortable and sustainable environment.
Through research, critical thinking, and creativity, students will implement their learning by redesigning Tilted Towers with features such as cool roofs, green spaces, reflective surfaces, and other strategies to combat extreme heat and promote a healthier urban environment.
By applying their knowledge to a virtual setting, students will gain a deeper understanding of the urban heat island effect and the importance of sustainable urban design for creating livable cities.
Rationale
Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11, with a specific focus on targets 11.3 and 11.6, addresses the crucial need for inclusive and sustainable urbanization as well as the reduction of environmental impact in cities.
One significant environmental challenge cities face is the urban heat island effect, wherein urban areas experience higher temperatures than their surrounding rural areas. The implications of this phenomenon are profound and far-reaching.
Currently, more than half of the global population resides in urban areas, and this number is projected to increase further. The urban heat island effect impacts millions of people worldwide, particularly in densely populated cities where the effects are most pronounced.
Extreme heat events can result in heat-related illnesses, heat strokes, and even fatalities, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations such as the elderly, children, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions.
Cities experience the urban heat island effect due to various factors. The high density of buildings, extensive paved surfaces, and limited green spaces contribute to the absorption and retention of heat.
Additionally, the high energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions associated with urbanization further exacerbate this effect. Therefore, addressing the urban heat island effect is crucial for creating sustainable cities and ensuring the well-being of their residents.
It is essential that we tackle the urban heat island effect to create a sustainable future. By implementing inclusive and sustainable urbanization strategies, we can mitigate the adverse impacts of extreme heat and enhance the livability of cities.
By incorporating measures such as increasing green spaces, utilizing cool roofs and reflective surfaces, and adopting urban planning approaches that prioritize shade and ventilation, we can combat the urban heat island effect. By doing so, we can create healthier, more resilient, and sustainable urban environments that benefit both current and future generations.
Statistics indicate that the majority of the world's population now lives in cities, highlighting the urgent need to address the urban heat island effect. By understanding the challenges posed by this phenomenon and the importance of sustainable urban development, we can work towards creating cities that are resilient, energy-efficient, and inclusive, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable and equitable future for all.
This lesson asks students to:
Conduct research to investigate the causes and impacts of the urban heat island effect.
Analyze the existing design of Tilted Towers and identify specific areas where the urban heat island effect can be mitigated.
Apply critical thinking skills to evaluate various strategies and solutions for reducing the urban heat island effect.
Work independently or collaboratively in teams to develop innovative solutions for Tilted Towers.
Communicate and share ideas effectively with peers during and following the solution development process.
Guiding Questions
How does the urban heat island effect impact cities and the well-being of their residents?
Students can reflect on the consequences of the urban heat island effect and its effects on human health, energy consumption, and overall livability.
What are the Sustainable Development Goal 11 targets 11.3 and 11.6, and why are they important for addressing urban heat islands?
Students can explain the significance of these targets in promoting inclusive and sustainable urbanization and reducing the environmental impact of cities, including addressing the urban heat island effect.
What are some effective strategies and solutions for mitigating the urban heat island effect in cities?
Students can identify and discuss various approaches such as green spaces, cool roofs, reflective surfaces, urban forestry, and other sustainable design features that can help combat the urban heat island effect.
How can the redesign of urban areas, like Tilted Towers, contribute to reducing the urban heat island effect and creating more sustainable cities?
Students can analyze the redesigned features implemented in Tilted Towers and explain how they contribute to mitigating the urban heat island effect and improving the overall sustainability and livability of the urban environment.
Why is it essential to address the urban heat island effect for a sustainable future?
Students can articulate the importance of addressing the urban heat island effect in creating sustainable cities, reducing energy consumption, improving air quality, and promoting the well-being of residents, as well as its broader implications for climate change and resilience.
As an instructor, you can learn more about this lesson by watching the video below.
We are simply linking out to the video uploaded into the media space playlist, as opposed to embedding the video in the PDF.
Learning Goals and Outcomes
Students will create Urban Heat Island solutions using Fortnite Creative. In the process, they will:
Learn about Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
Apply a design thinking model to create a simple solution to a complex problem.
Demonstrate an understanding of the need to create sustainable cities and communities.
Plan, engineer, demonstrate, and share their solution in Fortnite Creative.
Learning outcomes for the lesson include:
State the purpose of the Sustainable Development Goals.
State the role of Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
Examine an example problem and develop a solution.
Use Fortnite Creative to demonstrate understanding of a subject.
Plan and create an example solution that supports sustainable city living.
Communicate understanding of the problem and share solutions with a local or global audience.
Activities
Introduce Students to SDG #11
Show the following videos to create excitement about what's possible and form a foundational understanding of the problems being faced. These can be shown at different points throughout the project.
Understand Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities (Secondary)
This video explores the SDG 11 and is intended for a secondary school audience.
Cities at risk of becoming "unliveable" as shrinking green spaces create "heat islands"
A lack of tree cover in our major cities is going to make it nearly impossible to walk around during the height of summer, according to a new report.
Heatwave: What is the urban heat island effect?
Extreme heat is going to be felt across the country, but it's our cities that will be worst hit, as a phenomenon called the urban heat island effect drives temperatures even higher.
Show students the following video:
Brainstorming and Planning a Solution
The next step is to begin the brainstorming and planning process.
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 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
Brainstorm a list of UHI-relevant solutions.
Rank the list from most to least beneficial for reduction of the UHI effect at Tilted Towers.
Brainstorm possible engineering methods to provide innovative relief from UHI impact on citizens and all living organisms in the area.
Have the students state in their own words the exact problem that needs to be solved.
Discuss the iterative design process.
Use the Heatwave Hideout Student Handout to help plan their UHI solutions based on the points above.
Consider including artificial lakes (blue zones), pocket parks, green rooftops, reflective materials, and vertical gardens.
These prefabs can be found under the Creative Contents tab in the Prefabs category.
Feel free to landscape and alter the island by removing trees and planting them elsewhere if needed.
Always attempt to balance nature and safety with the best solutions possible.
Exploration 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 implementing their Urban Heat Island solutions in Fortnite Creative using the Tilted Towers Island found under Starter Islands.
Students should consider a mix of natural and artificial solutions.
They can use any and all of the building tools — prefabs, galleries, devices, and more, found under the Creative Contents 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.
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.
Reflect on some ways that you can help with this specific sustainable development goal through your daily actions. What careers and career skills are important for this growing concern?
Publish your video, image captures, or demonstration on social media or another school-approved platform such as Microsoft Flipgrid.
Consider using the following hashtags on Twitter and Instagram to help promote and share your island:
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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)
HS-ETS1-1. Analyze a major global challenge to specify qualitative and quantitative criteria and constraints for solutions that account for societal needs and wants.
HS-ETS1-2. Design a solution to a complex real-world problem by breaking it down into smaller, more manageable problems that can be solved through engineering.
HS-ETS1-3. Evaluate a solution to a complex real-world problem based on prioritized criteria and trade-offs that account for a range of constraints, including societal, economic, and environmental considerations.
HS-ESS3-1. Construct an explanation based on evidence for how the availability of natural resources, occurrence of natural hazards, and changes in the climate have influenced human activity.
HS-ESS3-5. Analyze geoscience data and the results from global climate models to make an evidence-based forecast of the current rate of global or regional climate change and associated future impacts to Earth systems.
ISTE Standards for Students Connections
Empowered Learner:
1a: Articulate individual learning goals related to the project and leverage technology to explore and expand understanding of the chosen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and urban heat island remediation.
1b: Develop technology skills and digital fluency to effectively utilize video game platforms like Fortnite Creative for researching, prototyping, and presenting solutions.
Digital Citizen:
9a: Exhibit responsible and ethical behavior in the digital environment, respecting copyright and intellectual property when using video game assets and resources during prototyping.
9d: Understand the implications of their video game-based solutions on society, economy, and the environment in the context of the SDGs and urban heat island remediation.
Knowledge Constructor:
3a: Plan and employ effective research strategies to locate and collect relevant information from digital sources to inform the project.
3b: Evaluate the accuracy, credibility, and reliability of the information gathered during research to construct knowledge.
Innovative Designer:
4a: Identify authentic challenges related to the chosen SDGs and urban heat island remediation that can be addressed through innovative prototyping using Fortnite Creative.
4b: Develop and implement creative and sustainable solutions within the context of the chosen video game platform, iterating and refining designs based on feedback.
Computational Thinker:
5a: Utilize computational thinking strategies to plan, design, and implement video game-based prototypes that address the urban heat island effect and contribute to SDGs.
5b: Analyze and interpret data and feedback from the prototyping process to make informed decisions and improvements.
Creative Communicator:
6a: Use technology tools, such as Fortnite Creative, to design and create engaging and persuasive presentations showcasing their prototype solutions.
6b: Effectively communicate the impact and significance of their solutions to the urban heat island effect and SDGs to a diverse audience, considering various perspectives.
Global Collaborator:
7a: Engage in collaborative discussions and peer feedback throughout the project to refine their solutions and designs, leveraging technology for remote collaboration.
7b: Connect with experts, educators, and peers from around the world to gain diverse insights and perspectives on their prototype solutions and SDG-related work.
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: benjamin-kelly-a2366154