Building real-world smart cities takes years and massive resources, which is exactly why urban planners simulate everything in Virtual Reality first! In this practical and interactive challenge, students will step into the shoes of Sustainable Urban Planners.
Working in pairs, students will use CoSpaces Edu to build a 3D simulation of a Smart Sustainable Neighbourhood. They will design green spaces, construct renewable energy infrastructure, and use block-based coding to program automated public transport and interactive recycling systems. By the end of the hour, students will step into their simulated worlds for a virtual "city walk" to test their designs and showcase their sustainable neighbourhoods to the City Council!
By taking part in this session, students will:
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- Understand VR Applications: Explain why urban planners use 3D Virtual Reality to safely simulate green tech and city logistics before building them in the real world.
- Explore 3D Spatial Design: Navigate a 3D digital workspace to scale, rotate, and position complex architectural and environmental assets.
- Apply Computational Thinking: Write event-driven code and loops (using CoBlocks) to automate public transport and create interactive environmental triggers.
- Collaborate Effectively: Practice pair programming techniques by actively communicating and swapping roles to achieve a shared sustainability goal.
To ensure a smooth launch, please verify you have the following resources:
- Hardware: Desktop computers, laptops, or tablets. If using computers/laptops, a physical mouse is highly recommended for easier 3D navigation.
- Tablet Guidelines: If your students are using tablets, they must download the free CoSpaces Edu app (available on iOS and Android) before the session.Â
- Software: Reliable internet connection and web browser (or the mobile app) to access CoSpaces Edu.
- Accounts & Registration Note: Once you register for the session and confirm the number of students joining the session, a classroom code will be provided before the session. Students need not create any account with CoSpaces for this challenge.
Before the clock starts on the challenge, educators should complete the following preparations:
Tech Check: Whitelist CoSpaces Edu on the school network and ensure all devices can load the 3D environment smoothly. Direct students to https://cospaces.io/edu/ or ensure the CoSpaces Edu app is successfully installed and opened on their tablets.
Assign Crews: Pre-assign students into groups of two. Explain that they will be sharing one device, taking turns as the "Pilot" (controlling the interface) and the "Engineer" (guiding the design and logic).
Explore CoSpaces: Have students familiarise themselves with the platform's 3D environments and interact with existing simulations by exploring the CoSpaces Edu Gallery.
Sustainable City Inspiration: Ignite the spark by having students review what makes a neighborhood sustainable, such as researching renewable energy, urban gardens, or smart public transit systems before they begin building.
Deepakram is a Program Lead for the APAC region at Creative Hut, where he manages and supports the delivery of the Amazon Think Big Circle programme, collaborating with global partners to bring meaningful STEM learning to diverse educational contexts. With a background in Mechanical Engineering, his journey into education spans teaching, ed-tech, digital transformation, and large-scale programme and product management.
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He has worked across schools, non-profits, and international education initiatives, contributing to the design of blended programmes, learning platforms, and system-level interventions that balance innovation with real-world implementation.
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Deepakram is deeply interested in emerging technologies and their role in education, and is passionate about empowering young minds through engaging, future-focused STEM experiences that nurture curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving.
