ECLIPSE – Edu-larp for Climate Learning and Innovative Practices in Sustainable Education

Project abstract: 

With a focus on climate change, this project aims to develop a framework for role-playing scenarios tailored to different target groups, including elementary and higher education and business. These scenarios are designed for direct use by the target groups and can be customized to meet individual requirements, allowing them to explore and tackle critical issues and transformations within their societies. Thus, the project aims to engage participants in immersive learning environments and to instigate a profound reflection and evaluation process that underscores long-term learning effects. By fostering 21st-century skills such as critical thinking, empathy, creativity and collaboration, the project directly contributes to realizing the UN SDGs related to health, education, equality, sustainable communities, and justice. It offers a pathway to transformative education, preparing individuals to tackle challenges in their everyday lives and beyond. The project will design two sample scenarios as so-called edu-larps (educational live-action role-plays), one dealing with the complexities of climate change and mental health and the other focusing on the nuances of transcultural interactions regarding nutrition practices and food waste. Each will be linked to relevant initiatives, encouraging participants to take responsible action and thus promoting agency. Immersive learning scenarios promote changes in perspective, enabling participants to understand and appreciate diverse viewpoints. Participants are expected to develop a deeper understanding of the complexities tied to sustainability and equity and to foster intrinsic motivation for creative solutions. This comprehensive approach may equip participants to contribute to societal transformation, aligning their efforts with the SDGs. Analyzing their long-term learning effects and building upon the evaluation of the sample edu-larps, the project aspires to develop a generative AI-powered role-play configurator. This tool will enable others, e.g., educators and social workers, to prepare similar experiences.

In summary, the project presents a model for how creative engagement combined with reflection and evaluation may contribute to cultivating skills, understanding, and motivation essential for creating a more just and sustainable world.

Lead coordinator: 

Name: Björn-Ole Kamm
Position: Junior Associate Professor
Institution: Kyoto University
Department, Faculty: Graduate School of Letters, Transcultural Studies

Co-coordinators:

Name: Sandra Barteit
Position: Research Group Leader
Institution: Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg Institute of Global Health
Department, Faculty: Global Health (Climate Change and Health)

Other coordinators:

Name: Alexandra Schreiber
Position: Head of the Intercultural Learning Lab
Institution: Göttingen University
Department, Faculty: Intercultural German Studies, Faculty of Humanities