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Ocean Heroes, Assemble!

02 Jun 2025 Two Minecraft characters swim underwater in a vibrant ocean scene, surrounded by coral, fish, and a dolphin, conveying a sense of adventure.

Starting on June 9, scientists, politicians, and business leaders from around the world will meet in Nice, France for the 2025 United Nations Oceans Conference, where they will discuss how to accelerate action to conserve the world’s oceans. But starting today, students can contribute to the UN’s conservation mission by becoming Ocean Heroes using Minecraft Education!

Commissioned by the UNESCO Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (UNESCO-IOC) with Voice of the Ocean, and developed by the expert builders at Shapescape, Ocean Heroes is a new learning adventure designed to immerse students in the wonders of the ocean ecosystem while introducing some of the major challenges of marine conservation. In Ocean Heroes, students will accompany marine scientists on their roving research vessel to explore and restore vibrant underwater ecosystems, using real-world sustainability science to build ocean literacy by showing our impact on the ocean and the ocean’s impact on us.


Set Sail for Conservation

Students will embark on investigative missions to three marine biomes where scientists are working to address specific issues and threats:

  • In the mangrove forest, students will learn how these spectacular trees help protect against coastal erosion and plant mangrove saplings to protect the shoreline.
  • In the colorful coral reef ecosystem, students will see how invasive starfish species are harming the coral, then help rebuild the reef by removing starfish and transplanting new coral.
  • In the kelp forest, students will help reduce habitat destruction and rebalance the ecosystem by reintroducing sea otters – a predator of the sea urchins that are eating all the kelp.

Guided by a team of lively NPC scientists, students will learn core scientific principles like biodiversity and ecosystem interconnectivity. As they engage in ocean restoration tasks that allow them to see the direct impact of their actions on marine life, they’ll also build critical problem-solving skills and awareness of global conservation efforts.

Underwater a swimming character approaches a trapped turtle and a crab enclosed in a box.


UNESCO-IOC recognizes that one of the most important elements of those efforts is engaging today’s young people so that they can become tomorrow’s scientists, conservationists, and ocean advocates. Join the mission to protect our oceans—your students could be the next generation of Ocean Heroes!

Play Ocean Heroes now, or explore more immersive science lessons for Minecraft Education.

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