The Wicked Problem of
Climate Change

Wicked problems stand out due to their complexity, lack of clear-cut solutions, and constant evolution. They demand interdisciplinary thinking, collaboration, and adaptability – skills ideally suited for VR's immersive and emotionally engaging environment. Conestoga's Virtual and Augmented Reality Lab has partnered with Xpan Interactive to create an interactive, multiplayer game in which players collaborate to develop solutions to help four key industries meet climate sustainability goals over the progression of three decades.This collaborative serious immersive experience tackles the emotionally charged issue of climate change by gamifying complex challenges. Students representing diverse industries participate in a multiplayer simulation, making impactful decisions affecting the virtual environment. This innovative approach fosters hope, collaboration, and critical thinking around sustainability solutions. By addressing the emotional barriers associated with climate change, the game empowers students to become effective changemakers and cultivate the emotional resilience needed to navigate this complex issue.

This project explicitly addresses the emotional aspects of climate change education. Recognizing the potential for despair and disengagement, the game leverages affective design to cultivate hope, agency, and collaborative problem-solving. This innovative approach empowers students to envision positive possibilities and equips them with the emotional and cognitive tools to contribute to real-world solutions.

Status: In Development / Prototyping

Anticipated Release Date: September 2024

Evidence-based affective design strategies

Emotional resonance, fueled by experiential learning (Kolb, 2014), creates stronger memories and increases the likelihood of knowledge transfer to real-world situations (Pekrun & Stephens, 2014)

Cultivating feelings of hope while engaging with content increases student retention (Fraser, 2021)

Antonio Damasio's somatic marker hypothesis (1994) posits that emotions guide decision-making and memory consolidation, leaving indelible markings on our cognitive landscape.

Multiplayer Collaboration

This compelling and engaging multi-user virtual experience brings students from diverse backgrounds and disciplines together to tackle the problem collaboratively. The immersive environment encourages open communication, shared decision-making, and innovative solutions.

a clear image of coral reefs with lots of colourful tropical fish in the ocean that would

Storytelling for Empathy and Awareness

Affective design elements like storytelling, visuals, and soundscapes evoke emotions while examining the impact of radical weather changes and increasing global temperatures from now until 2050. Learners develop a deeper understanding of how very complex and interconnected the issues of climate change are globally.

A clear image of a polar bear and her cu

Cultivating Hope, Coming to Terms with Uncertainty, and Creating Change

Wicked problems such as climate change can be confounding and challenging because of the shifting contexts and uncertainty they bring. Affective design principles can instill hope, agency, and a sense of purpose. Designing intentionally to cultivate hope and purpose is essential to help students develop the capacity and emotional resilience needed to solve some of the world's most monumental problems.

The Wicked Problem of Climate Change

Storytelling for HopeStorytelling for Hope

Multiplayer Collaboration This compelling and engaging multi-user virtual experience brings students from diverse backgrounds and disciplines together to tackle the problem collaboratively. The immersive environment encourages open communication, shared decision-making, and innovative solutions.

The Wicked Problem of
Climate Change

Multiplayer Collaboration

This compelling and engaging multi-user virtual experience brings students from diverse backgrounds and disciplines together to tackle the problem collaboratively. The immersive environment encourages open communication, shared decision-making, and innovative solutions.