Gamitronics CEO Rajat Ojha shares an innovative approach to sustainable living for children.
“We don’t need no education; we don’t need no thought control…”
These iconic lines from Pink Floyd’s anthem “Another Brick in the Wall” have resonated across generations, capturing a sentiment of rebellion against rigid systems. Beyond the rebellious spirit, the lyrics touch upon the essence of fostering an environment that goes beyond traditional education paradigms.
In the context of sustainability for children and their learning, these words take on a new meaning.
The call for breaking down walls in education aligns with the idea of reimagining how we impart knowledge to the younger generation. It prompts us to consider a learning environment that transcends the conventional, where children are not just taught, but empowered to think critically, creatively, and sustainably.
Making kids “go green”
Many believe by instilling the seed of sustainability at early stages, it can organically evolve into a way of life rather than merely a societal norm.
In a practical demonstration of commitment to sustainability, Gamitronics’ PartyNite metaverse has joined forces with ARC to shape young minds through education on sustainable practices. Through collaborative efforts, they are spearheading inventive projects such as ARCade Island, which is a dedicated space for kids within the PartyNite metaverse. The goal is to impart knowledge and mold the future generation, instilling a commitment to a sustainable lifestyle.
“PartyNite’s ARCade Island will serve as an educational platform where kids from around the world can collaboratively create a city, showcasing best practices in sustainability results in a thriving community. The integration of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into the gameplay will help participants understand the real-time impacts of sustainable practices, and generated reports will be shared with their respective schools to track,” says Rajat Ojha, CEO of Gamitronics.
By engaging kids in a game focused on learning and building their sustainable city, this initiative aims to demonstrate the thriving possibilities of sustainable living and its impact on the planet’s ecosystem.
The project enables kids to utilize a custom-built construction tool, akin to popular platforms like Roblox and Minecraft, within the PartyNite metaverse environment. This tool empowers children to shape and design their virtual world while adhering to sustainability guidelines.
“City building is a big genre within the video game industry and games like Sims, City Skyline, etc. have proven it. However, this is going to be simpler to adapt to. Besides that, there will be a lot of games like cleaning the beach drive, solving medical mysteries by being Health Heroes, installing solar plants game using Simon mechanic, etc. where kids will engage, collaborate and work together. We are also launching weekly and monthly campaigns to encourage kids to participate,” Rajat says.
The objective is to showcase the far-reaching impact of their collective actions taken in the game by kids impacting on the planet.
Gamitronics has created the Rainwater Harvesting Theme Park in four cities across India, earning accolades from global leaders and the UN for its innovative approach.
Their success lies in their ability to effectively communicate complex subjects to children. Instead of traditional teaching methods, they engage kids in activities, demonstrating the profound impact these activities can have.
“The metaverse’s strength lies in providing firsthand experiences of both the best and worst scenarios without the need to wait for extended periods. Unlike traditional videos where the connection with the audience might be lacking, in the metaverse, your actions have the power to build or destroy. This fosters a heightened level of empathy and instills a profound sense of responsibility in children,” Rajat says.
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Keeping kids safe
While there are various parental controls to safeguard minors on the internet, the metaverse presents a different scenario. Rooted in blockchain technology and founded on decentralization, the current state of the metaverse often resembles the unregulated nature of the wild west. This absence of oversight can be intimidating and undeniably perilous for children.
To ensure a safe metaverse environment, Gamitronics has implemented stringent measures.
AI-monitored text communication, and real-time voice censorship are underway. Predefined animations and possible emotes prevent inappropriate behavior, with robust anti-fraud algorithms continuously evolving them. Other regulatory features such as report and flagging, and expulsion are also bolstering safety circuits.
Gamitronics is continuously evolving the island as kids will keep building it, new engagements, activities, research-related things, games and campaigns will be added from time to time. Further, they will add more islands targeting important subjects in the future.
The ongoing pursuit of sustainability carries a paradoxical weight—while it’s been an established concept for some time, embracing this transformative journey towards sustainability can prove challenging for individuals.
According to Rajat, the essence of sustainability still often feels like an externally advocated cause rather than an intrinsic part of our existence, primarily because it’s typically “taught.”
Yet, whether it’s through innovative endeavors like ARCade Island or by adopting and willingly embracing sustainable principles tightly woven into our way of life, the essence of sustainability remains palpable.
It’s not merely about conforming to norms but ingraining it as an integral facet of our daily existence. Numerous concepts and actions can contribute to shaping a more sustainable world; among them, initiatives like recycling programs, reliance on renewable energy sources, effective waste management strategies, nurturing green spaces, and establishing robust public transportation systems serve as the building blocks for creating a truly sustainable city.
The idea is not “to be another brick in the wall.”
