Microsoft offers a unique way to visit Expo 2020 Dubai!

DUBAI: The first-ever immersive virtual Expo site opens its doors to visitors in dedicated Minecraft world, including a special education edition aimed at children in grades K-12

Visitors to Expo 2020 Dubai can explore the site of the mega event virtually, in part thanks to a collaboration between Expo 2020 and Microsoft. The virtual world, specially created for this occasion, allows visitors to visit the various pavilions and experience the themes of the event through Minecraft. In addition, a dedicated Expo 2020 Dubai Minecraft: Education Edition features several lesson plans for teachers to use in their classrooms to further deep dive into Expo’s themes, allowing students to discover – Sustainability, Mobility, Opportunity – through building an immersive play.

Rehan Asad, Chief Programme Officer, Expo 2020 commented, “The Microsoft and Expo 2020 collaboration is part of a wider Virtual Expo ecosystem that will allow visitors, for the first time ever, to digitally discover and immerse themselves in a World Expo. Through Minecraft and other digital platforms, virtual visitors will be able to curate their Expo experiences, allowing them to connect with Expo’s themes through learning, play, and an appreciation for a new generation of digital connectedness. We are very excited to be working with Expo 2020 Dubai on this unique project, which at its core will help connect minds and create the future in line with this year’s Expo theme”, said Sayed Hashish, General Manager for Microsoft UAE. Minecraft is a much loved and recognised game and education platform, and by putting it into the service of Expo, we are delighted to make a contribution to bringing Expo’s spirit to the world.”

It will be an immersive virtual world and dedicated Education Edition that will be available to create additional builds inside the customised Minecraft world. Mapped against 16 different curricula, teachers around the world can bring to life Expo 2020’s themes, Mobility, Opportunity, and Sustainability, inside their classrooms reaching students using building and play.

Minecraft: Education Edition (M: EE) is a free version of Minecraft for students and teachers who have an Office 365 account. Leveraging the popular Minecraft game, the learning platform promotes creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving in an immersive digital environment.

Source: Expo 2020 website