Learning Sustainable Construction Principles By Building A Learning-Game

Abstract

Growing concern about sustainability has made it essential to incorporate the principles of sustainable construction into engineering curricula, ensuring that future professionals are well-equipped to deal with the multidisciplinary challenges of the 21st century. Moreover, fostering a broader societal understanding of sustainable construction is equally important, as public awareness can drive demand for more environmentally responsible buildings. To address both objectives, an experiential learning strategy was adopted in the Fundamentals of Sustainable Construction course. Over the semester, students developed a board game designed to teach key concepts of sustainable construction to high school students. The game was then tested with a class of 9th-grade students (aged 14–15) to evaluate its effectiveness. This research highlights an active learning approach where university students not only deepen their understanding of sustainability but also build critical skills—such as analytical thinking, communication, teamwork, and creativity—while contributing to public education and awareness of this pressing societal issue.