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23 October 2024

Exploring 3D Worlds with Unreal Editor for Fortnite - CAS Interactive 3D TC Meeting

Marta Bronowicka profile image
Written by

Marta Bronowicka | Community Specialist

If you were unable to join us for the “Interactive 3D with Unreal Engine” thematic community meeting, don't worry! You can catch up on all the content and a recording of the session below.

Key Takeaways:

  • UEFN (Unreal Editor for Fortnite) allows students to design and code interactive 3D worlds while introducing a text-based language, Verse.
  • The resources provide a structured, enrichment-focused learning experience with step-by-step worksheets, slide decks, and debugging tips.
  • Students can create and personalise their unique 3D worlds, with flexibility to incorporate real-world design skills.
  • The sessions culminate in a showcase, where students share and celebrate their finished projects with peers.
  • UEFN resources are adaptable, accessible, and designed with an inclusion-first mindset, ensuring learners of all abilities can engage.

The recent CAS Interactive 3D community session centred on the powerful tools available in Unreal Editor for Fortnite (UEFN). Led by the team from Flip Computing, the session walked participants through how UEFN can be used to design and code unique 3D environments in the classroom. The resources provided are aimed at Key Stage 3 (ages 13+), offering teachers a creative way to introduce coding and design principles with a focus on accessibility and inclusion.

UEFN offers a user-friendly interface for creating 3D experiences, and despite the Fortnite association, the resources are designed to create educational, custom-built worlds—not Fortnite replicas. Students work with various interactive objects and learn coding with the new text-based language Verse, tailored for Key Stage 3 learners. The resources are carefully scaffolded with worksheets, vocabulary sheets, and slide decks, helping both teachers and students navigate the complexities of 3D design and coding.

What’s particularly exciting is the freedom for students to personalise their projects. From basic map-building to adding code for interactivity, learners have the chance to create a wide variety of 3D worlds, including collectible games, simulations, or even brand experiences. Each session builds on the last, progressing from world-building to coding, and ultimately to sharing their final creations with peers—a celebratory showcase of their hard work.

This session also highlighted the technical considerations for using UEFN, such as the need for robust computers, which could be a challenge for some schools. However, the resources are designed to mitigate some of these challenges by keeping the world sizes manageable and offering tips for optimising performance.

Next Steps:

To integrate UEFN into your classroom, here are a few questions to consider:

  • How could 3D world-building and coding inspire different types of learners in your classroom?
  • How does UEFN’s use of Verse language fit into your existing curriculum? Could it complement existing tools like Scratch or Python?
  • What opportunities are there for students to collaborate or work in pairs to explore 3D design?
  • How can you use the showcase model to motivate and celebrate student achievements?

Example exercises you could try:

  1. Have students create a simple 3D world, adding objects and coding interactions using Verse.
  2. Challenge them to personalise their world by adding unique visual or functional elements, like a reward system or collectible items.
  3. Organise a mini “demo day” where students present their worlds to classmates for feedback and celebration.

Further Resources:

Watch the recording

Review the slides from the meeting 

Download Getting started in Unreal Editor for Fortnite - Part 2

Missed part one? Catch up on the previous session here

Download Getting started in Unreal Editor for Fortnite - Part 1

Join CAS Interactive 3D Community 
Explore CAS Thematic Communities