Save the coral reef – a game for detectives

The oceans are already heavily impacted by human influences. Due to climate change, sea temperatures are rising, their pH levels are decreasing and at the same time local pressures such as overfishing and pollution are increasing. Protecting the seas requires a widespread awareness in society to successfully implement appropriate measures. This is precisely where the science communication project Save the coral reef a game for detectives comes into play: it creatively imparts knowledge about the most divers ecosystems of the oceans, the coral reefs. The games objective is to save the last coral reef in the Red Sea. To achieve this, the detectives must first comprehend why the reef is suffering. They can interrogate reef inhabitants, fossil coral reefs and even scientist to determine and prevent the mysterious coral decline. The game will be developed collaboratively with pupils for educational purposes. Supplementary materials for educators will be produced to ensure its long-term integration into school curricula. Participating in the game development will encourage independent thinking, foster sustainable learning and enhance social competencies among pupils. Additionally, young people in Vienna and lower Austria will have the opportunity to engage in an idea competition to design videos for the game cards. The winners will receive a free workshop with a professional video producer to create short films for the game cards. The game will be promoted on different social media channels, with a particular focus on platforms for young people, such as Instagram and TikTok. Moreover, it will be integrated into school workshops and events at the Natural History Museum in Vienna. The game will be available as a free download on various webpages, including those of the University of Vienna, the Kinderuni and the OeAD young science webpage. We are confident that the game will also spark a lot of interest in private settings.