DESQ launched a prototype of Healthy Island at the MELT 2008 Showcasing event which took place on Thursday, 4th September in Sylvester Space, Sheffield. Over 250 people enjoyed entertainment, food and drink and were given the opportunity to see a selection of the Melt supported projects in action, including Healthy Island.
Developed by Eartheart (a partnership of DESQ and Steve Manthorp), Healthy Island is a healthy lifestyle learning game played collaboratively by a primary school class. Pupils input credits earned by their achievements in exercise and healthy eating choices to nurture and sustain a virtual island with fantasy creatures and plant life. The benefits of an improved healthy lifestyle are seen immediately in the health and diversity of the island’s ecology.
The game is played on the class’s interactive whiteboard and controlled by the class teacher, with different classes having different islands. Classes make collective decisions about what plants and creatures they can add to their island ecology.
