What is Neuron Safari?
Neuron Safari is a novel and (hopefully!) fun way of engaging with Biology using Minecraft. It started as an idea just before the pandemic to explore how video games might make understanding biological concepts easier. From there it has grown into now a fully fledged project exploring the use of video games in research, teaching and public engagement. And also importantly how to build experiences so all these groups can use the same world, the same game space, to learn things, with as much complexity and real science included as possible.
The Original Safari |
We constructed a unique world that encompasses an introductory look into basic neuroscience and cellular concepts, using real data. You can explore eight different "zones", each with its own specific focus:
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This version of the safari has been constructed to be accessible from ages 7+. Some aspects are more difficult to grasp than others, but by including it all in one world we hope that whatever your age, you learn something new from your time in the Safari! We are sad that we cannot be there in person to show you around, but for those of you that have a copy of Minecraft we hope you'll still get lots of enjoyment out it.
To download, just click the link in the menu above or the button below and choose the correct one for your version of Minecraft. We've included links to where these files need to be downloaded to on that page as well.
We'd love to hear about how you've been using the world too, and any cool Minecraft things you've been up to! You can send us an email (neuronsafari at gmail.com), or contact us on Instagram.
2025 note: the safari is in need of an upgrade, so do bear with me while I look into how easy this will be!
To download, just click the link in the menu above or the button below and choose the correct one for your version of Minecraft. We've included links to where these files need to be downloaded to on that page as well.
We'd love to hear about how you've been using the world too, and any cool Minecraft things you've been up to! You can send us an email (neuronsafari at gmail.com), or contact us on Instagram.
2025 note: the safari is in need of an upgrade, so do bear with me while I look into how easy this will be!
The Creator
Dr Richard Fitzpatrick |
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I am a lecturer in the Biomedical Sciences at the Edinburgh Medical School, The University of Edinburgh.
Before that I was a Curriculum Developer working at the University of Edinburgh developing a series of MSc Biotechnology Programmes with an entrepreneurial and practical focus for a new University in Gujarat, India (gbu.edu.in). I was also a Postdoc in Bioinformatics Education, working as part of the 4273pi project (4273pi.org). My previous research was based on the biochemical modelling of memory, focussing on a specific receptor known as an AMPA Receptor. As the Safari might suggest, I also really enjoy teaching and thinking of new ways to engage students with biological topics. This Safari has emerged from some work exploring how Minecraft and other sandbox games might be used to teach biology at a University level. (Yes, this does mean I get to play games as my job!) |
Other Contributors
Siobhan Vickerstaff & Perrin Grant - Both worked on implementing a type of infectious disease model called a SIR model into Minecraft for their Honours Projects (2020 and 2023 respectively). Their work is displayed in the Student Projects tab!
Simon Parker - Built the amazing DNA factory machinery
Shinjini Basu, Francois & Marie-Therese El-Daher, Ayela Irfan, Jennifer Lennon, Elise Malavasi & Melanie Stefan -Helped out at during the first stages of the Safari with running and testing at Leith Labs, and provided very valuable feedback!
Simon Parker - Built the amazing DNA factory machinery
Shinjini Basu, Francois & Marie-Therese El-Daher, Ayela Irfan, Jennifer Lennon, Elise Malavasi & Melanie Stefan -Helped out at during the first stages of the Safari with running and testing at Leith Labs, and provided very valuable feedback!
Funding/Events
Research Data Scotland - funded piloting the Infection Scotland model across Scotland in 2023.
The Darwin Trust - Currently funds my job and has allowed Perrin to refine the Infection Scotland world over the summer of 2023
The Principal's Teaching Award Scheme (PTAS) - For providing the initial funding for the pilot study in August 2019 with four undergraduate students (Thanks Okuk, Simon, Chikku and Connor!)
Leith Labs - An absolutely fantastic monthly community-driven science event at Ocean Terminal (currently on hiatus)
Edinburgh Science Festival - Where some of you may have heard about us from: EdSciFest went all-digital in 2020 as #EdSciFest to bring you lots of exciting content to keep you occupied and educated during these trying times.
The Darwin Trust - Currently funds my job and has allowed Perrin to refine the Infection Scotland world over the summer of 2023
The Principal's Teaching Award Scheme (PTAS) - For providing the initial funding for the pilot study in August 2019 with four undergraduate students (Thanks Okuk, Simon, Chikku and Connor!)
Leith Labs - An absolutely fantastic monthly community-driven science event at Ocean Terminal (currently on hiatus)
Edinburgh Science Festival - Where some of you may have heard about us from: EdSciFest went all-digital in 2020 as #EdSciFest to bring you lots of exciting content to keep you occupied and educated during these trying times.
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