Active Citizen
Minecraft: Education Edition’s Active Citizen world which explores the incredible stories of Nobel Peace Laureates and how they achieved amazing things.
Open in MinecraftUpdated: May 22, 2025
Learning objectives
Active Citizen has been designed as a fun and creative introduction to how to build a better world. This experience will provide you with skills you can use to participate in society actively and successfully. It offers additional opportunities to replay and learn more about the Nobel Peace Laureates and the changes they created in the world, building strong and effective role models for society.
Teacher prep and notes
This Minecraft: Education Edition world was designed and created in partnership with the Nobel Peace Centre, Oslo. We are grateful for their knowledge and support.
The education material was supported by Games for Change.
Use the Active Citizen Educator Powerpoint in the supporting files section of this page, which provides educator and student resources.
Curriculum Themes
This Minecraft: Education Edition Active Citizenship world specifically address the theme of Personal Development and Local and Global Citizenship.
Citizenship Education is a key feature of many National & Local Curriculum.
Students have opportunities to explore a range of topics and develop a breadth of Skills and Capabilities. They address the following concepts:
This helps pupils learn how to participate positively in society and influence democratic processes. It also helps them to make informed and responsible decisions as local and global citizens throughout their lives.
Local and Global Citizenship involves exploring issues about diversity, equality and justice, democracy and active participation. It encourages students to identify and clarify their values and attitudes. They also learn how to recognize, understand and manage their behavior in different situations.
Teachers should give students the opportunity to explore relevant, real-life contexts.
The Game can be played over a number of lessons, with each lesson exploring each of the four Nobel Lauretes and concluding in a build challenge.
For additional lessons and materials to support multiple lessons, use the following resources provided by the Nobel Peace Centre:
https://www.nobelpeacecenter.org/en/education/minecraft
Guiding ideas
The Nobel Peace Prize has the power to change peoples’ thoughts and actions thus make the world a more peaceful and better place for everyone.
Alfred Nobel could be tough and cynical in his business dealings and was in his own words at the same time both a misanthrope and a "super idealist". He loved literature, had written poems and a play in his earlier years, and built up a large book collection. Here lay the seeds of his decision to set up a literature prize to be awarded to the author of the best work "of an idealistic tendency".
But, Alfred Nobel also supported those who spoke up against militarism and war, and wanted to contribute to work for disarmament and the peaceful solution of international conflicts. He was very interested in cultural and peace-related issues, and the prizes he established reflect this: ."...to those who, during the preceding year, shall have conferred the greatest benefit on mankind."
The Nobel Peace Prize is known throughout the world as the prize that recognizes those humans who make the biggest difference. The people who are awarded it are incredible people who achieved their goals without superpowers. Instead, they used human capabilities, like communication, diligence, empathy and collaboration to dramatically change the world.
Now Play the Game and learn all about the prize and the people!
Student activities
Students will use the Active Citizen Minecraft world to explore each of the four featured Nobel Laurates: Nansen, Wangari, Malala and the 14th Dali Lama.
They can also use the game as a build challenge, and build thier vision for a more peaceful society.
The attached powerpoint presentation has everything you need to teach the Active Citizen lesson and introduce the Nobel Peace Prize and Alfred Nobel to your class.
Performance expectations
After completing the lesson and game experience, students will be able to articulate the work of the four Nobel laureates: Wangari Maathai, Malala Yousafzai, The 14th Dali Lama, and Fridtjof Nansen. Students can demonstrate understanding by choosing a cause and use Minecraft to build their vision for a more peaceful world. Tools such as the in-game camera, book and quill, and portfolio can be used to create assessment materials.
External reference
Skills
- Character
- Citizenship
- Communication
- Critical thinking
Estimated time
1 hour
Supporting Files
- Active Citizen Educator PowerpointThis slide deck includes everything you need to teach the Active Citizen lesson.