Photo credit: venturebeat.com
For centuries, St. Peter’s Basilica has been a monumental symbol of artistry, architecture, and historical significance in the Vatican. Its awe-inspiring features and rich narratives continue to influence culture and faith around the world.
In a groundbreaking initiative, students now have the unique opportunity to engage with this iconic institution through Peter Is Here: AI for Cultural Heritage, a new Minecraft Education learning platform developed in partnership with Microsoft and the Vatican. This initiative integrates advanced artificial intelligence alongside interactive gameplay to facilitate hands-on restoration experiences.
Peter Is Here provides an imaginative avenue for students to delve into the historical depths of St. Peter’s Basilica, where they can undertake restoration projects as part of the Sanpietrini, the guardians of the Basilica. Players will navigate various eras within the structure’s intricate history, engaging with historical figures and investigating significant artifacts while using simulated AI tools.
Teachers can enhance this immersive experience in the classroom with additional educational materials that detail the Basilica’s history and its ongoing digital preservation efforts aided by AI technology. From restoring ancient mosaics to supporting the architectural legacies of the Renaissance, students actively partake in cultural heritage conservation, all within the familiar landscape of Minecraft.
This initiative exemplifies how technology, particularly AI, can play a pivotal role in preserving historical sites for future generations. Peter Is Here is a collaborative project involving the Vatican, Iconem, and Microsoft to democratize access to St. Peter’s Basilica and safeguard it through digital means.
The project commenced with the creation of a digital twin of St. Peter’s Basilica, leveraging cutting-edge photogrammetry techniques and AI. Microsoft’s AI for Good Lab provided essential technology to process and analyze the collected photogrammetry data. To translate this immersive experience into educational settings, Microsoft and the Vatican partnered with Minecraft Education to launch Peter Is Here.
Hands-On Restoration Using AI
Students embarking on Peter Is Here can choose from two distinct paths, making it a versatile tool for educators interested in incorporating art, history, STEM, and digital literacy into their curriculum. The first path, ‘Restoration Mode,’ places students in the role of the Sanpietrini, responsible for the maintenance and preservation of St. Peter’s Basilica.
Beginning with restoration tasks, students gain valuable insights into the importance of cultural preservation and how their efforts influence the Basilica’s condition. They will engage in repairing pivotal sections across four significant historical periods:
- The Vatican Obelisk (75 AD)
- St. Peter’s Tomb (400 AD)
- The Rotunda Column (1546 AD)
- Bernini’s Baldachin (1626 AD)
During Restoration Mode, students apply AI tools to make decisions impacting the Basilica’s restoration, gaining historical insights while exploring new areas of the structure.
- Hands-On Problem Solving: Participants utilize simulated AI tools like block scanners to assess damage and determine necessary repairs.
- Real-Time Decision Making: Restoration choices visibly alter the Basilica’s appearance, showcasing how their contributions support the landmark’s integrity.
- Historical Context: Restoration tasks are situated within specific timeframes, enriching students’ understanding of architectural evolution and cultural heritage.
- Unlocking Exploration: Completing repairs not only revives parts of the Basilica but also opens additional exploration areas, reinforcing the connection between restoration and history.
Exploring History in an Immersive World
Upon completing their restoration duties, students can transition to ‘Exploration Mode,’ where they become historians navigating the grandeur and hidden narratives of St. Peter’s Basilica. They utilize tools such as the Smart Compass for fast-travel and waypoint setting, encountering interactive collectibles and NPCs that provide deep historical insights.
- Immersive Discovery: Students explore intricate architectural features and unveil secret spaces that house hidden artifacts.
- Interactive Encounters: Dialogues with historical figures like Michelangelo and Bernini enrich the learning experience, bringing the Basilica’s past to life.
- Contextual Learning: Each area explored reflects its historical architectural style, enhancing students’ understanding of the Basilica’s development.
- Unlocking Secrets: Players gather collectibles and engage with their environment, creating a seamless transition from restoration tasks to discovery missions.
Students are encouraged to capture their findings with the Book and Quill tool in Minecraft Education, make comparisons with other historical landmarks, and share their insights with classmates. This process transforms them into engaged protectors of cultural heritage.
Bringing Peter Is Here to Your Classroom
The Peter is Here experience effectively links social studies and modern technology. Students learn to use AI tools that echo real-world techniques in digital imaging and 3D modeling as practiced by preservationists in various fields like medicine, urban planning, and environmental science.
Additionally, educators receive a structured PowerPoint and student workbooks to facilitate instruction and enhance engagement with the restoration concepts. These resources support educators in embedding historical education, AI learning, and reflective exercises into their teaching goals.
At the conclusion of their journey, participants earn an official certificate that acknowledges their achievements and emphasizes the tangible impact of their new skills, celebrating them as honorary preservers of cultural heritage.
By centering restoration within the Peter is Here initiative, students learn the importance of stewardship and conservation, highlighting our collective responsibility to protect cultural treasures. The integration of AI tools not only illuminates the efforts of preserving heritage but also inspires learners to actively engage with centuries of human creativity—one block at a time.
Peter is Here is available for all licensed users in the Minecraft Education lesson library. A trial version of Minecraft Education can be accessed for free by downloading the application and signing in with an Office 365 or Microsoft 365 Education account.
Source
venturebeat.com