It’s All Connected is a board game that educates players about sustainability issues surrounding production, ownership, repair and disposal of consumer smart products. With the help of teachers and some exciting project partners, a team of researchers from the University of Nottingham, are translating this into a teaching resource, designed to meet the needs and expectations of teachers, students (key stage 4 and 5) and exam boards.
We need teachers and schools to help us achieve this, so if you are interested in following our progress and/or taking part in some game testing sessions please let us know. Either by email (to teresa.castle-green@nottingham.ac.uk), or by completing this short form:
As the lead researcher on the project Tree is the main point of contact for schools, partners and funding bodies.
Kinga (Lev) Lewandowsa Game Designer
Lev is an Interactive Media graduate of the University of York with a passion for sustainability.
Emily Thorn Research Assistant
Emily is a design researcher and creative technologist
It’s All Connected
It’s All Connected was originally created as part of the EPSRC Funded Fixing the Future project [EP/W024780/1,EP/T022493/1] to educate players about sustainability issues surrounding production, ownership, repair and disposal of consumer smart products. This project will translate the current game concept from a family boardgame to a teaching resource. Designed to meet the needs and expectations of teachers, students and exam boards.
Our research has uncovered interest from secondary and further education teachers in a derivative of this game being used as a classroom resource for science education with Key stages 4 and 5 (ages 14 – 18). Comments from teachers, coupled with challenges highlighted in the Royal Society’s Science Education Tracker, indicate a need for teaching resources around life-cycle analysis and technology sustainability that link scientific concepts with students’ everyday lives. While the British Science Association report, UK secondary school pupils would like more relevant and rigorous climate change education across all subjects.
This project will translate the current game concept from a family boardgame to a teaching resource. Designed to meet the needs and expectations of teachers, students and exam boards.
We need teachers and schools to help us achieve this, so if you are interested in following our progress and/or taking part in some game testing sessions please let us know. Either by email (to teresa.castle-green@nottingham.ac.uk), or by completing this short form:
If you have tested one of our games we will collect your feedback and suggestions here!
What players are saying
“[I learned] shopping takes a lot of thought.”
Whitburn Sixth Form Student
“A lot more focus needs to be put on repairingproductsin the real world.”
Whitburn Sixth Form Students
“How bloated consumer culture really is – really thought provoking.”
Sunderland, Community Centre Gamers
“Its really effective at getting you to look at the way production/ consumption works in a wider context – quickly!”
York, University staff
“Much more interactive, and [I] don’t usually get to play as the corporation who are often seen as the bad guys.”
Sunderland, Local Game Club Member
Where’s this from?
It’s All Connected started out as a game to measure public impact of e-waste and sustainability research – you can read more of our origins on our blog post here.
