Aiman Halimah (left), Julia Irdina (second from right) and their friends having fun trying out Johor Lestari Quest. — Yee Xiang Yun/The Star
Game, using recycled items, travels around Johor to highlight environmental problems and solutions
LEARNING about sustainability is getting a fun twist with new board game Johor Lestari Quest.
The edu-tainment tool aims to help players learn about waste management, renewable energy, carbon trading and blue carbon ecosystems in an interactive way.
SWM Environment Sdn Bhd general manager Mohd Norlisam Mohd Nordin said the game was developed over three months in collaboration with Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM) and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM).
“The game makes learning about sustainability more interesting, interactive and enjoyable, particularly among primary school pupils.
“It was also designed as both a teaching aid and to facilitate community activities that increase understanding of sustainable waste management and environmental issues.”
He said the effort also supported the Johor Sustainable Education Action Plan and complemented initiatives such as Iskandar Malaysia Ecolife Challenge and Johor Sustainable Development Goals School Challenge.
The initiative is expected to benefit over 1,000 pupils from 30 primary schools under Johor Baru City Council jurisdiction.
The game, for a maximum of five players, takes about 20 minutes per round.
Participants roll the dice to travel across Johor’s 10 districts and one economic corridor, with each location linked to historical facts.
Along the way, players tackle environmental problems drawn from “problem” cards.
To earn carbon credits, they have to get the right answers shown on “solution” cards that feature practical, real-life actions applicable at home, school or work.
The player with the most carbon credits wins the round.
Johor Lestari Quest makes sustainability education more interesting and engaging with its race for carbon credits.
“Even the materials used for the game reflect its eco-friendly spirit – the tokens are made from recycled bottle caps and the game bag is crafted from upcycled fabric by local social enterprise Kraf Hibiscus,” added Mohd Norlisam.
ASM southern region chairman Prof Dr Haslenda Hashim said the collaboration added industrial insight into educational content.
“During its development, our team of university students, academia and industry partners identified environmental issues close to the people’s hearts and came up with practical lifestyle solutions that can be adopted, especially by the younger generation.
“This project complements our series of science-based interactive games, while introducing the concept of carbon trading,” she said, adding that it was also in line with Johor’s focus on sustainable, low-carbon development.
Prof Haslenda said Lestari Johor Quest was introduced during the “Gamifikasi Sejukkan Langit” programme in conjunction with National Science Week (southern region), and has since been tested by teachers, students and the public.
Secondary school teacher Aiman Halimah Musa, 27, who tried the game during a community reading event at Sultan Ismail Library (PSI) in Larkin, said Johor Lestari Quest was a refreshing way to create environmental awareness among students.
“As a teacher, I see it as a useful edu-tainment tool, especially for essay-writing topics.
“I think secondary students can play the game more strategically because they understand the issues mentioned, and relate them to their lessons,” she said.
Another player, Julia Irdina Usmuni, 27, said the game was equally eye-opening for adults.
“The board game is interesting because it highlights many facts about the environment that we may not be aware of.
“Although we often talk about sustainability, this game reminds us not to take the environment for granted.
“It is a creative way to educate,” said Julia Irdina, who is from the building information modelling industry.
The public can try the game at PSI’s Sudut Lestari or during SWM Environment’s 3R Troopers community roadshows.
Schools interested in obtaining the game can e-mail 3rjohor@swmsb.com or reach out to PSI at sudutlestaripsi@gmail.com
