Schools Reinventing Cities Toolkit: How Maltese Students are Reimagining their Future

What is your name and what subject/grade level do you teach?

Ms Nicole Weaving-Baluci – Teacher in Computing and Information and Communications Technology (ICT) at secondary level (years 9-11) at St Aloysius College

Did the challenge foster any unexpected outcomes or student engagement?

The challenge fostered several unexpected outcomes and enhanced student engagement in ways that were both surprising and rewarding. It significantly improved teamwork and collaboration among the students, where they learned to delegate tasks, leverage each other's strengths and work together more effectively than in traditional classroom settings. The open-ended nature of the Minecraft platform also allowed students to express their creativity in unique ways, as they produced innovative solutions and designs that exceeded initial expectations. The students faced various challenges during the project, from technical issues to design constraints. Overcoming these obstacles enhanced their problem-solving abilities and resilience.

What impact did the challenge have on students’ understanding of urban planning and environmental issues?

By engaging in the challenge, students had the opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge of urban planning and environmental concepts in a practical, hands-on manner, where building virtual cities in Minecraft allowed them to experiment with different urban layouts, infrastructure designs and environmental features, deepening their understanding of these concepts. They gained empathy for the communities affected by urbanization and environmental degradation, recognizing the need for inclusive and equitable planning practices.

What is your first name and what is your grade level?

Isaac – Year 10 student at St Aloysius College

What did you learn about making cities better during the Schools Reinventing Malta Build Challenge?

During the Malta Build Challenge, I learnt that many things in our cities which are not given enough attention can have various positive effects on our community if they are given the importance they require. During our project we had to collectively brainstorm ideas on how to effectively display our ideas in the whole project, from small designs to larger and more visible details.

What is your first name and what is your grade level?

Andrea – Year 10 student at St Aloysius College Malta

Why do you think it important for young people to think about how cities can be better places to live?

This project helped us think out of the box to and come up with better construction ideas for such big projects in Malta, where building space is very limited. It is our responsibility as adults of the near future to give our opinion on how we wish to see our world in the future to be enjoyed by everyone. My wish is to show our plan to some architects in Malta.